Chelsea and Liverpool scoreless

Liverpool 0, Chelsea 0 (half-time)

Chelsea’s reaction to their European savaging in Stavanger was to bring Liverpool down to earth with a committed display at Anfield.

Liverpool, so impressive in their last two games in scoring eight goals, were reduced to a frustrated outfit by Chelsea’s first-half display.

The abuse heaped on Chelsea in recent days, and the accusation that they weren’t earning their large wage packets, had clearly had a galvanising effect.

They worked impressively, supported colleagues and were making life more than difficult for Liverpool in midfield.

The home side’s first effort came on 30 minutes when John Arne Riise sent a header wide from Danny Murphy’s corner.

Liverpool livened up when Steven Gerrard scorched away from Desailly and fired over a cross that was hacked behind, and then when the corner was only half cleared to Sami Hyypia, he lashed a dipping 30 yarder that Carlo Cudicini diverted over.

Stephane Henchoz had a recurrence of his hamstring injury on 38 minutes and Djimi Traore came on as substitute.