Liverpool vs Chelsea

That's full time. Neither side covered themselves in glory but neither side will be overly disappointed with the result. That not one clear cut goal scoring opportunity was created in ninety minutes tells you all you need to know. Let's hope Sunday's Premiership game between the two is rather more entertaining.

Wright- Philips makes a great tackle on Luis Garcia but the referee sees it differently and awards a free kick in an area similar to where Gerrard scored a screamer against Olympiakos last season. Sadly for Liverpool, the end product is not the same and he skies the ball high in to the Kop.

Terry hacks Alonso from behind and Liverpool prepare to launch another high ball in to the Chelsea box. The inevitable option of Peter Crouch is chosen but he fails to make any sort of telling impact on the ball. Which he has failed to do on the game also tonight.

Drogba wins a free kick for Chelsea near the Liverpool eighteen yard line. Lampard sees his cross headed away by Finnan for a Chelsea throw in which leads to Liverpool's defence heading away to safety.

Wright-Philips has now beaten Traore twice in the air. Draw your own conclusions from that.

Finnan breaks up a Chelsea move from the heart of the Liverpool defence then joins the attack to feed Pongolle in the Chelsea penalty area. Lovely skill from Pongolle sees him trick Terry and his cross is only knocked as far as Alonso who is lurking on the eighteen yard line. He hits a venomous shot towards Cech's goal and it is only just over the bar. Good play.

Garcia is forced wide left by Essien who shows his strength and shepherds the ball to safety for a goal kick.

Pongolle needlessly gives the ball to Wright-Philips but he is then tackled easily by Gerrard. This has been the story of the night. Mistake has begat mistake.

Pongolle is on now for Liverpool.

Liverpool's corner is punched clear by Cech and the ball falls for Alonso whose rasping drive from twenty five yards out screams past Cech's right hand post. Worth a try.

That is the Irishman's last contribution. Crespo is coming on now in place of him. The Liverpool defence know all about the Argentine but should he score a brace this late on a comeback is most unlikely.

Reina has to scramble to save from Duff after a mistimed back pass. The keeper did well to deny what has, in this half, been a rare Chelsea attack.

Drogba tries to feed Essien but Chelsea do not seem too interesed in attacking with numbers at the minute. They seem content to sit back and try to hit Liverppol on the break.

Luis Garcia overhits a pass out to Gerrard on the right but the Liverpool captain does well to stretch out and reach it, before getting in a cross which Cech has to deal with.

Crouch is fouled by Carvalho who, if you can believe this, is climbing all over the lanky Englishman. Gerrard plays in a high ball from forty five yards out which Hypia tries to direct goalwards. This he manages but fails to trouble Cech.

Shaun Wright-Philips is on for Robben. Oh the luxury.

Gerrard whips in a wicked bending ball between Cech and his defenders who, panic stricken, clear for a corner. This is then hit in by Gerrard before the Chelsea defence regain their composure and clear the ball with rather more aplomb.

Gallas prevents Cisse from advancing down the right but Liverpool have the throw deep in Chelsea's territory. A rash tackle from Lampard on Cisse brings a booking for the Englishman and a Liverpool free kick in a dangerous area.

There is much more of a sense of urgency about Liverpool's play now. A driving run through the middle by Gerrard sees him clatter in to Terry's back but play is waved on.

At the other end, Ferreira now concedes a corner with a challenge on Garcia. The Spaniard's cross is then met by Carragher's head followed by Gallas's arm. If he wasn't holding on to Cisse it wouldn't have happened. Liverpool shout, in vain, for a penalty. They have been given for much less.

Duff sells Traore a lovely dummy and he plays a pass back to Ferreira, whose long hoisted cross in to the Chelsea area, sees Drogba scrambling with the Liverpool defenders to win a header. He doesn't. So far the Ivory Coast man is not having the best of nights.

Luis Garcia wins a header from Terry and Ferreira on the eighteen yard line and, clean through on the Chelsea goal with only Cech to beat, appears to have his shirt pulled by Ferreira. The ref is not interested.

Now Chelsea have a free kick near the Liverpool box and Lampard sends Robben scurrying down the left. His ball in is not good enough.

Liverpool are knocking the ball around with something approaching confidence but can not find a chink in Chelsea's armour. Alonso's ball in to the box is grasped by Cech.

Liverpool get the second half started attacking an expectant Kop. No substitutions to report.