There comes a time in everyone’s life when they must stand up and be counted. For some it is a major event that changes the World we live in, for others it can be as simple as telling someone they love them. These moments do not come along every day but when they do come along they must be grasped as they are life changing events. For Rafael Benitez and his international scousers tonight is one of those events. Tonight Liverpool host Chelsea and fight it out for a place in the final of the UEFA Champions League!

It’s advantage Chelsea as we head into the first of the second legs in this season’s semi-finals. Joe Cole was once again the thorn in Liverpool’s side when he was on hand to reap the rewards of Drogba’s hard work. Despite Mourinho’s insistence that Liverpool had the better preparation for the first leg it was his own men who came out of the blocks fastest. The first half was all Chelsea as Liverpool looked like a team who hadn’t played a seriously competitive game since the first PSV game three weeks beforehand. At half time Liverpool had Reina to thank for keeping it to only 1 goal.

The second half was a different story though as Liverpool started to play their game again and when Mourinho took Shevchenko off and Carragher switched to marking Drogba, Chelsea were less effective. Tonight Liverpool will need more of that second half display and none of the first.

The news that Carvalho and Shevchenko are out of tonight’s squad is a major boost to Liverpool’s tactical approach. Although Mourinho is prone to mind games and it can’t be believed until the teams are announced, it does seem as if these two will not feature. This means that Carragher can mark Drogba from the kick-off and that Essien will have to play centre-back. Essien is not as good a defender as Carvalho and struggled to handle Peter Crouch in the league game at Anfield. He will also be missed in the midfield where Chelsea are becoming more and more reliant on his drive. It’s not all good news for Liverpool though as Robben looks set to return to the squad.

While Chelsea’s absentees mean their team all but picks itself the big question for Benitez is what midfield to play. Mascherano has looked very good since he joined Liverpool but he struggled in the first leg and despite Sissoko’s recent dip in form these are the kind of games he relishes. I feel we missed Sissoko’s ‘destroyer’ approach in Stamford Bridge and so would be happier to see him play tonight.

Steven Gerrard must give a big performance tonight and even though it would be his first against Chelsea I think he’ll produce. I would play him off the lone striker as I think he is most dangerous playing there and that Liverpool could get at Chelsea better if they play two wide-men. The return to fitness of Steve Finnan gives Benitez the option of playing Riise on the left-wing with Arbeloa at left-back.

Probable line-ups;

Cech
Ferreira Terry Essien Cole
Lampard Makelele Mikel
Kalou Drogba Cole
with Cudichini, Boulahrouz, Bridge, Diara, Wright-Phillips, Geremi, and Robben on the bench.

So the task is simple, beat Chelsea by two goals and Liverpool go through. Beat them by 1-0 and it’s extra-time and penalties. Any other result puts Chelsea through. I believe Liverpool can keep a clean-sheet but Chelsea are more than capable of scoring. I can’t see them scoring more than 1 and I know this Liverpool team can score 3 if they have to. I don’t think it’ll come to that though. I’m predicting the ultimate in drama and excitement. Liverpool to win 1-0 with Chelsea coming close on several occasions near the end of the 90 minutes and throughout extra-time. I’m saying Liverpool will win on penalties!

The atmosphere is going to be like nothing you have ever witnessed before. Make sure you tune in!

The game is live on RTÉ 2. Kick-off 19:45.