North vs south, red vs blue, tradition vs the newly rich; Liverpool's rivalry with Chelsea has long had the makings of a classic, but its significance has only been realised in contemporary times.
The duels were rarely notable for much of their respective histories, with the arrivals of two Iberian folk at the start of the 21st century transcending their bouts into a new realm of importance.
The pair once frequently met on the grand continental stage and have since made a habit of colliding in domestic cup finals. There's usually plenty at stake when Chelsea and Liverpool lock horns, and here's a complete overview of their rivalry.
Memorable meetings
- Chelsea 0-1 Liverpool - May 1986
- Liverpool 1-0 Chelsea - May 2005
- Chelsea 3-2 Liverpool - April 2008
- Chelsea 4-4 Liverpool - April 2009
- Liverpool 0-2 Chelsea - April 2014
Chelsea 0-1 Liverpool - May 1986
Liverpool had long established themselves as England's supreme force by the time they rocked up to Chelsea on the final day of the 1985/86 season aiming to secure a first win at Stamford Bridge in 12 years.
A fourth First Division title of the decade initially appeared unlikely for Kenny Dalglish's Reds, but an imperious 11-game winning run meant that victory on the final day would see them pip Merseyside rivals Everton to the crown.
Their opponents, Chelsea, were hoping to spoil the party. The Blues had spent much of the previous decade in the second tier, but they'd impressed upon their return to the top flight in 1984. They'd end 85/86 in sixth.
The contest at the Bridge was decided by one moment of brilliance from Dalglish, who became the first player-manager in history to win the First Division. The Scot's sublime 23rd-minute volley handed the visitors the lead, and they preserved their advantage to secure a once unthinkable title triumph.
Liverpool 1-0 Chelsea - May 2005
There would've been no Istanbul miracle if it wasn't for Luis Garcia's "ghost goal", as it was cynically dubbed by Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho.
Mourinho's meetings with Rafa Benitez were rarely thrilling, with both managers prioritising the nullification of their opposition. Such caution worked a treat in the first leg of this semi-final tie as a stalemate was played out at Stamford Bridge, and there was little action the following week as Liverpool controversially progressed into the final.
There's no doubt that Garcia's scrappy finish was cleared by William Gallas before the ball had crossed the line, but Liverpool may well have had a penalty anyway with Petr Cech wiping out Milan Baros beforehand.
Having scored so early, Benitez's side then set about containing the Premier League champions-elect, which they did with aplomb before making history in Istanbul.
Chelsea 3-2 Liverpool - April 2008
Champions League duels between these two were frequent in the noughties, an indication of the Premier League's success at the time, and following the infamy of '05, their matchups in 2008 and 2009 were all-time classics.
While Benitez remained at the helm, Mourinho had departed months before this semi-final tie as Manchester United awaited in the competition's showpiece event.
A late John Arne Riise own-goal handed the Blues a crucial away goal in the first leg, but a dogged display from the Reds at Stamford Bridge meant Avram Grant's side were often fleetingly in control.
Didier Drogba and Fernando Torres shared strikes in regulation to force the contest to an extended period, where Chelsea scored twice to surely book their place in Moscow. Frank Lampard scored from the spot just six days after his mother's passing and Drogba added his second, but Ryan Babel's screamer - unfortunately lost in the annals of history - set up a nervy conclusion.
There was no unfathomable late drama, however, as Chelsea progressed into their first Champions League final.
Chelsea 4-4 Liverpool - April 2009
Chelsea supporters may lament their victory in this rollercoaster of a Champions League quarter-final tie, as they wouldn't have had to endure the travesty that ensued in the last four.
You know, "INIESTAAAAAAA", and all.
Nevertheless, the Blues toppled Liverpool in what would prove to be the final instalment of their continental duels in the noughties. It was a night that projected little drama after Chelsea had won at Anfield 3-1, but Benitez's side quickly found themselves back in the tie after Fabio Aurelio caught out Petr Cech from a free-kick and Xabi Alonso converted from the penalty spot.
The hosts regained control after the break, though, with Alex drawing Chelsea level on the night with a thunderb*stard of a free-kick. The tie then see-sawed in the other direction after Lampard gave the Blues a 3-2 lead before Liverpool responded with two more goals of their own which left them just one away from a quite remarkable triumph.
Lampard, however, put the Reds' charge to rest when he scored the Blues' fourth from Nicolas Anelka's cross to seal a 7-5 aggregate victory.
Liverpool 0-2 Chelsea - April 2014
A contest entrenched in irony, and one Chelsea simply weren't meant to win for a myriad reasons.
Having faltered domestically, Mourinho's priorities lied with the upcoming Champions League semi-final second leg against Atletico Madrid, while Liverpool headed into the bout off the back of a 16-game unbeaten run.
There was a sense of Liverpool fulfilling their destiny in 2013/14 having endured a 24-year title drought, with their dramatic 3-2 victory over rivals Manchester City weeks before Chelsea's visit regarded as pivotal in their pursuit of glory. "We don't let this f**king slip," captain Steven Gerrard fatefully encouraged his teammates in the aftermath.
Chelsea's starting lineup at Anfield wasn't as weak as Mourinho threatened, with the Portuguese master overseeing a vintage display which led to a 2-0 away win. The decisive moment arrived in the first half when Gerrard, after innocuously receiving possession in his half, lost his footing which allowed Demba Ba to run through and score the opener.
Liverpool vs Chelsea - Complete H2H record
- Games played: 156
- Liverpool wins: 70
- Draws: 38
- Chelsea wins: 48
Liverpool vs Chelsea - Premier League H2H record
- Games played: 64
- Liverpool wins: 24
- Draws: 19
- Chelsea wins: 21
Top scorers in Liverpool vs Chelsea Premier League fixtures
Player | Club(s) represented | Goals |
|---|---|---|
Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink | Chelsea | 5 |
Patrik Berger | Liverpool | 5 |
Michael Owen | Liverpool | 5 |
Fernando Torres | Chelsea/Liverpool | 5 |
Robbie Fowler | Liverpool | 5 |
