Christiano Ronaldo has no idea 'how much money he has'

The Real Madrid player was named as the world’s most marketable footballer last week, beating Lionel Messi and Gerard Pique. He is also the world’s highest paid footballer, taking home an estimated €21million (£17million) every year.
“I don’t know how much money I have,” he said. “It’s not the money that moves me. “It’s true that at first it did, when I had nothing.”

The Portuguese sportsman grew up in Funchal, Madeira and says that his family’s financial situation was difficult when he was a child.

“Then I wanted to have money for me and my family because I was raised with nothing, we were very poor. I had no toys or presents at Christmas,” he said.

“I shared the room with my brother and two sisters, and my parents slept in the other room.
“It was a small space, but I don’t feel sorry for myself. Now that things are OK, money’s no longer fundamental.”

He went onto state that his new ambition is to “win the largest number of trophies, both individual and collective”. The sportsman – who recently appeared nude with girlfriend Irina Shayk on the cover of Vogue – says that it is his strength of mind that has enabled his success.

Ronaldo is known for his theatrics on the pitch – last weekend he scored Real Madrid’s fourth and final goal in the club's Champions League final victory over Atletico Madrid and celebrated by ripping off his shirt, flexing his muscles and roaring.

“Only those who deal with me and play with me really know me,” he told The Sun.

“If I weren’t so strong psychologically, I wouldn’t have been able to play in the clubs I did. I have no doubt about that.”

He admits that, regardless of his impressive character, defeat isn’t something that he handles deftly.
“I don’t like losing and when it happens I cuss for three or four minutes, but it’s over in no time. All it takes is a hug from my mates.”

Ronaldo injured as Real Madrid title bid falters

In a season where Real Madrid has appeared irrepressible at times, a 1-1 draw against relegation-threatened Valladolid was not what manager Carol Ancelotti might have anticipated.

A ninth minute injury to Cristiano Ronaldo, making him doubtful for this weekend's game against Celta Vigo and perhaps even the Champions League final, merely rubbed salt into the wounds.

Ronaldo appeared to leave the field as a precautionary measure with a hamstring strain before his teammates were forced to settle for a frustrating point against a resilient Valladolid.

The result leaves Real four points adrift of leader Atletico, who face Malaga on Sunday before a final day showdown with Barcelona.

"It is practically gone now but while there is a mathematical chance then Madrid are obliged to keep going," goalscorer Sergio Ramos told reporters.

"It has been a long season and it takes its toll on the body.

"We wasted a unique opportunity and we will now have to examine it calmly. With 10 minutes to go we relaxed, and against a side battling for survival, they are always going to make it difficult for you,"

The title is now surely between leader Atletico Madrid and second place Barcelona.

 

Should Barcelona defeat Elche, it will need to see off Atletico at Camp Nou to claim the title.

Real, which began the contest without the injured Gareth Bale, adjusted to the loss of Ronaldo and moved ahead 10 minutes before the break.

Ramos, who has scored five goals in his past four games, unleashed a fine free-kick from 25-yards which flew into the net.

The home side, which has struggled throughout the season for goals, improved after the interval and slowly took the initiative.

And it came as little surprise when Humberto Osorio headed home Marc Valiente's corner with five minutes of normal time remaining.

The loss of Ronaldo, who has scored 31 league goals this season and 50 in all competitions, will be of greatest concern to Ancelotti.

Real faces Atletico in the Champions League final on May 24 in Lisbon and will be keeping a close eye on the Portugal midfielder over the next week.

Anceloitti's side, which takes on Celta Vigo in its next match, finishes the campaign at home to Espanyol on May 18.

Source :  Edition.cnn.com

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Manchester City suffers £49 million fine

The Manchester City owner Sheikh Mansour in the right

Manchester City are facing Uefa sanctions for breaching financial fair play rules which would see the club limited to a 21-man Champions League squad instead of the usual 25 players next season.

City, who are still strongly challenging the settlement offer from Uefa, are also facing a fine in the region of €60m (£49m) over three years, and a cap imposed for next season to ensure there is no rise in this season's Champions League A squad wage bill.

The reduction in the size of the Champions League squad to 21 would potentially hit the club hardest, and City would also have to ensure that there are still eight locally-trained players in that A squad.

Press Association Sport understands the sanctions are very similar to those being handed to Paris Saint-Germain – the two clubs are among nine European sides being dealt with by Uefa's club financial control board for FFP breaches.

City have until the end of the week to reach an agreement with Uefa over the sanctions – but it is understood they are the club furthest away from reaching any final settlement.
If no agreement is reached City face the prospect of the case being handed to a panel for a non-negotiable decision.

Neither City nor Uefa would comment but it is understood the Manchester club have been negotiating forcefully for a significant reduction in that sanction but have been struggling to make progress.

The risk, however, is that if they are unable to agree a deal with Uefa then they could face even stiffer sanctions from the CFCB's adjudicatory panel.

No club is expected to be excluded from the Champions League for breaching the spending limits, the maximum possible sanction – the Uefa president Michel Platini said last month he does not envisage that to happen.

Abu Dhabi-owned City have a £40m-a-year deal with Etihad Airways, while Qatar-owned PSG have a backdated deal with the Qatar Tourist Authority worth up to €200m (£165m) a year.
The French newspaper L'Equipe has reported that Uefa has ruled the QTA deal should be valued at only half that sum.

Real Madrid vs. Valencia: Final score 2-2

Real Madrid were not great on Sunday, but they came from behind to pick up a point on their crosstown rivals.

Brilliant Cristiano Ronaldo goal saves a point



Atlético Madrid's loss early on Sunday presented a chance for Real Madrid to pull themselves back into the driver's seat in the title race, but they could only make up one point. Valencia put on an excellent performance at the Bernabéu and were only denied all three points by a Cristiano Ronaldo stunner in stoppage time, which salvaged a 2-2 draw for the hosts.

Real Madrid got off to a fast start, with Ronaldo forcing a save by Diego Alves in the 3rd minute, but they couldn't find a goal in the first half. Valencia actually had the best chance from open play of the period, with Dani Parejo nearly scoring off a header in the 16th minute that Diego López deflected onto his crossbar. Ronaldo had a couple of other shots on target in the first half, but Alves was able to deny him on each occasion.

Valencia went ahead just before the halftime break, with Jérémy Mathieu scoring an excellent header off a free kick. He was able to hold off Raphaël Varane on the edge of the six-yard box to get on the end of a ball and direct the ball into the top corner, sending Los Che into halftime with a lead.

Carlo Ancelotti made a change at halftime, bringing in Ángel di María for Asier Illarramendi. It was a positive substitution, but things didn't turn around instantly for Real Madrid. Lopez had to come up with a big save in the 52nd minute, off a header by Paco Alcácer.

Madrid equalized in the 59th minute through what would normally be a rather unconventional source, but certainly not on current form. Sergio Ramos scored to tally his fourth goal in the last three games across all competitions, finishing off a great set piece routine. Di Maria set up the chance with a cross to the back post for Ronaldo, who headed back across the goal. Ramos was in the perfect spot and finished from just outside the six.

But, stunningly, Valencia were able to come up with a quick answer through Parejo, who opted not to celebrate his goal against his former club. He was a bit lucky to have the ball fall to him -- Sofiane Feghouli's cross was deflected -- but no one tracked his run from midfield and he got onto the end of the ball uncontested before applying the finish.

Valencia nearly held out for all three points, but Cristiano Ronaldo came up big in stoppage time to salvage a draw for Real Madrid. Di María had the assist, but the goal was all about the finish -- a brilliant backheel out of midair. It was a brilliant goal and the point could prove to be important for Real Madrid, but they're more likely to see it as two dropped in the title race.

Real Madrid: Lopez, Marcelo, Varane, Ramos, Carvajal, Isco (Casemiro 72'), Alonso,  Illarramendi (di María 46'), Ronaldo, Benzema, Bale

Goals: Ramos (59'), Ronaldo (90')

Valencia: Alves, Pereira, Bernat, Costa, Mathieu, Keita, Fuego, Feghouli, Vargas (Barragan 90'), Parejo (Vezo 89'), Alcacer (Jonas 67')

Goals: Mathieu (44'), Parejo (65')

[Via]

Real Madrid Routs Bayern Munich in Champions League

MUNICH — Cristiano Ronaldo sprinted toward the end line, his arms shaking and his eyes wide. Suddenly he stopped in front of a wall of Bayern Munich fans at the Allianz Arena, and held up 10 fingers. Then he dropped one hand and raised five fingers again.

His point was clear. Ronaldo, the Portuguese superstar, had just set a record for most goals scored by a player during a Champions League season (with 15 in 10 games, he subtly reminded everyone). Even more, his goal had sealed Real Madrid’s passage to next month’s final in Lisbon, where the club will seek to win its 10th European title.

So Ronaldo preened. He screamed and shouted and, later, when he capped Real’s destruction of Bayern with his 16th goal about an hour later, he jumped so high he could have cleared a pool table. The final score in Tuesday’s semifinal second leg was 4-0 and 5-0 on aggregate, and it could have been worse. Munich was blown out of its building.

Real, which also got two goals from Sergio Ramos, will face either Atlético Madrid, its intracity foil, or Chelsea, which is coached by the former Real manager José Mourinho, in the title match next month.

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrated his Champions League record-scoring goal

“It was our best game against a dangerous rival,” said Manager Carlo Ancelotti of Real Madrid. Ancelotti, who is chasing his third Champions League title (he won two with A.C. Milan), called it “a perfect game.”

For the Bayern players, the massacre was mortifying; the club was seeking to reach its fourth final in five years and had high hopes of successfully defending the championship (to become the first winner of consecutive titles since the Champions League replaced the European Cup) it won at Wembley in London last May. For Manager Pep Guardiola, the ease at which his German champions were dispatched was especially alarming.

Last year, in the semifinals, Bayern blasted Barcelona, Guardiola’s former club, which was still playing his possession-centric style. Bayern was a counterattacking juggernaut, pushing the ball forward quickly as soon as it gained possession.

This year, Guardiola, in his first season in Munich, has molded Bayern’s style to closely match his Barcelona days. And while Bayern cruised to the German league title, Guardiola’s players were viciously undone in the Champions League by a fierce counterattacking side that sprinted forward with lethal purpose. [Via]

Liverpool vs Chelsea FC 0-2 Final

MAIN EVENTS

90′ +4

Goal Willian
GOAL! Willian makes it 2-0 to Chelsea and that will seal it as the Blues steal the crucial second on the counter. Sturridge gifts the ball back to the visitors and the Brazilian feeds Torres, who advances on goal and draws Mignolet before slipping in his team-mate, who makes no mistake from a couple of yards out. Game over.

 

90′ +3

Yellow Card Fernando Torres

 

90′ +3

Yellow Card Ashley Cole

 

45′ +4

Goal Demba Ba
GOAL! Absolutely remarkable, Chelsea have the lead right on half-time as Ba atones for his previous errors in this half with a goal which could turn the tide in this amazing title race. Gerrard is the culprit for Liverpool, slipping in possession from Sakho's pass, and it allows the striker to cruise through on goal before slotting home with brilliant composure. It could be a pivotal moment.

 

43′

Yellow Card Frank Lampard

 

21′

Yellow Card Mohamed Salah

 

LIVE COMMENTARY

 

 

 

FULL-TIME: Liverpool 0-2 Chelsea. This was billed as a momentous day in the title race and it looks as if it will prove to be, but not in the manner Brendan Rodgers and his side imagined at kick-off. Jose Mourinho, castigated for his spiky showing at Friday's press conference and his decision to field a weakened side, got his tactics spot on as his side scored in stoppage time at the end of each half to dent the hosts' title chances. Demba Ba capitalised on a woeful error from skipper Steven Gerrard to run clear and slot home before Willian scored on the counter at the end to leave Liverpool just two points clear at the top.

 

90′ +4

Assist Fernando Torres

 

90′ +4

Goal Willian
GOAL! Willian makes it 2-0 to Chelsea and that will seal it as the Blues steal the crucial second on the counter. Sturridge gifts the ball back to the visitors and the Brazilian feeds Torres, who advances on goal and draws Mignolet before slipping in his team-mate, who makes no mistake from a couple of yards out. Game over.

 

90′ +3

Yellow Card Fernando Torres

 

90′ +3

Yellow Card Ashley Cole

 

90′ +2

GREAT SAVE! Liverpool are awarded a fortuitous corner as Gerrard's cross slices straight out of play, but the Reds skipper is not about to display any sympathy and takes the set piece quick. The ball is worked to Suarez who unleashes a fierce volley, but Schwarzer gets across well to parry the ball away.

 

90′

A poor pass from Coutinho goes straight out of play as Johnson hurtles forward into space and Liverpool are struggling to build a head of steam for the final few minutes here.

 

88′

Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher is spotted in the Anfield crowd and he looks as crestfallen as the rest of the supporters. It is important to remember, however, that the Reds will stay top regardless of what happens here today.

 

86′

Gerrard rifles a low strike wide of the post - and not for the first time - after finding himself in space just outside the Chelsea area. Liverpool are running out of time and ideas here.

 

84′

Substitution Demba Ba Fernando Torres

 

84′

Ba wastes another opportunity to free a team-mate as Willian's run through the middle proves futile and when he gives the ball away again in midfield, Mourinho decides enough is enough by bringing on Torres. The irony is, Ba's strike stands to be the winner this afternoon.

 

82′

Coutinho whips a stunning pass around the Chelsea back four but Ivanovic does just enough to prevent Suarez from getting a toe to the ball at the back post. Rodgers makes his next change by hauling off Flanagan and bringing on Iago Aspas to bolster his forward numbers.

 

81′

Substitution Jon Flanagan Iago Aspas

 

80′

CHANCE! Suarez gets free on the left and clips a cross back to Gerrard, who steers a header towards goal but can only find the gloves of Schwarzer once again.

 

78′

Chelsea make a defensive tactical reshuffle as Cahill comes on for Schurrle to stock up the numbers at the back and give Liverpool an ever sterner test in attack.

 

77′

Substitution Andre Schürrle Gary Cahill

 

76′

Schurrle and Mikel are both down for Chelsea, seemingly with cramp, and the plans to disrupt and stem the flow of the Liverpool attacks are working perfectly. The duo go off temporarily but Atkinson allows them to come straight back on after receiving treatment.

 

74′

Liverpool are banging on the door, but Chelsea are refusing to budge and the Blues are close to launching a devastating counter attack, only for Willian to misplace a pass for Schurrle.

 

72′

Gerrard feeds in a ball to the back post where Sterling had looked to steal in, but Willian did superbly to track his man and stick with him diligently.

 

70′

Another Liverpool move breaks down and the Kop are growing audibly frustrated by their side's toils. The hosts need their fanbase to stick with them here.

 

68′

CHANCE! Gerrard lines a shot up from just outside the area having set himself up by skipping past Lampard but can only steer an effort straight into the gloves of a grateful Schwarzer. Chelsea closing in on a crucial win.

 

66′

Sakho clips Willian to concede a free-kick and Chelsea are happy to carry on time-wasting to unsettle the Liverpool rhythm once more before Allen tests Schwarzer with a stinging strike.

 

64′

A Flanagan cross from the left is easily dealt with by Schwarzer, who has hardly been troubled this afternoon. Moments later Willian escapes a couple of challenges and Chelsea find themselves with two on two in the Liverpool third, but the Brazilian elects to find Ba, who sees his shot diverted away.

 

62′

GREAT SAVE! Mignolet may have just kept Liverpool in the contest as he produces a wonderful save to deny Schurrle. The German had shown directness and desire to run at the backtracking Johnson and fire in a low strike, but the Belgian was equal to it.

 

60′

Substitution Mohamed Salah Willian

 

60′

Mourinho makes a change of his own, as Willian comes on to shore up the midfield and Salah makes way. It may well be that the Chelsea boss considers the Brazilian slightly more defensive-minded.

 

58′

Substitution Lucas Leiva Daniel Sturridge

 

58′

Liverpool make their first substitution as Rodgers looks to inject some more pace to the attack by introducing Sturridge to the fold. Can the Reds muster a much-needed equaliser?

 

56′

Ba controls Schwarzer's long clearance downfield with an impeccable first touch but the ball had already gone out of play before he could charge past Martin Skrtel on the left flank.

 

54′

A right-wing centre causes initial panic in the Chelsea defensive ranks, but Schurrle manages to clear before Gerrard leads the Liverpool fight by driving into a wide-left position but Ivanovic is in his way to block the cross.

 

52′

PENALTY?! Sterling goes to ground after an altercation with Kalas but the replays show referee Atkinson was correct to wave away the Reds' latest appeals with the Liverpool flyer going down too easily under the slightest contact.

 

50′

Sterling speeds past Azpilicueta, but the Spaniard recovers well only to clear straight to Joe Allen, who feeds Suarez, with the Uruguayan forcing a corner for his side. It comes to nothing, though, as Chelsea continue to defend resolutely.

 

48′

Liverpool almost fashion a chance in the opening stages but there is a mix-up between Suarez and Lucas, with the Uruguayan leaving the ball to the offside Brazilian when he could have carried on going following a weaving run.

 

46′

Liverpool get the ball rolling once more here and we are back underway for this crucial second half.

 

 

HALF-TIME: Liverpool 0-1 Chelsea. How many people saw this coming? Rodgers' side have quite simply failed to get going in the face of a resilient Chelsea defensive performance and it has worked wonders for Mourinho's side, who seized one of precious few opportunities when Ba capitalised on Gerrard's awful error to close in on goal and slot past Mignolet. The second half will be a major test of Liverpool's mettle in the title race.

 

45′ +4

Goal Demba Ba
GOAL! Absolutely remarkable, Chelsea have the lead right on half-time as Ba atones for his previous errors in this half with a goal which could turn the tide in this amazing title race. Gerrard is the culprit for Liverpool, slipping in possession from Sakho's pass, and it allows the striker to cruise through on goal before slotting home with brilliant composure. It could be a pivotal moment.

 

45′ +2

WHAT A CHANCE! Chelsea really should be ahead here. Kalas meets Lampard's corner but fails to get a proper connection on it and his header sails wide of the far post. The Czech has to score there.

 

45′

Ba's touch lets him down once more as Lampard looks to play a quick one-two in and around the edge of the Liverpool area but it breaks down and Liverpool clear.

 

43′

Yellow Card Frank Lampard

 

43′

Lampard enters the book for a rash challenge on Sterling and a fairly unnecessary one at that in a wide position to break up Liverpool's fluency once more.

 

41′

Liverpool just cannot find a way through this Chelsea rearguard. A corner breaks down when Coutinho's ambitious cross sails out of play before Suarez arrows a shot just over the crossbar from 25 yards.

 

39′

Chances to break the deadlock at both ends as, first, Salah slams a shot into the arm of Flanagan, but Atkinson refuses their latest appeals. Then Liverpool engineer an opportunity of their own as Coutinho goes for a cross from Suarez, but Azpilicueta extinguishes the danger.

 

37′

Ba wins another corner for Chelsea but Lampard's corner goes out of play before swinging back in and presents Liverpool with a goal-kick. A slight let-off for the hosts there.

 

35′

Salah does well to win a corner from Flanagan but Lampard's delivery from the right is headed up in the air by Gerrard and ultimately caught by Mignolet amongst a cluster of bodies.

 

33′

Another potential Chelsea breakaway comes to nothing as Ba fails to locate Salah's well-timed run on the left flank, and is instead tackled firmly by Sakho, who stuck to his task well against the rangy frontman.

 

31′

Liverpool want a free-kick on the edge of the area as Ivanovic comes in late on the striker who unceremoniously bit him last season in the corresponding fixture. The Serb was the man doing the metaphoric biting this time, but Atkinson was not interested in the Liverpool protests.

 

29′

Schurrle is visibly furious with the peripheral Ba as he fails to find the requisite flick-on to play in the German on the left when Chelsea had a three on two in their favour. The ball eventually gets worked back to Schwarzer. Frustrating for Mourinho and his side.

 

27′

Cole goes up for a header with Suarez only to find the Uruguayan still on the ground and is lucky to get away without being booked as he leads with his arm in the challenge.

 

25′

Sterling forces a corner after some strong work on the left flank but once again, Chelsea defend in numbers from the set piece and are able to clear their lines without any real difficulty.

 

23′

Liverpool are dictating possession here but cannot quite find the telling pass at the moment to prise apart the Chelsea defence.

 

21′

Yellow Card Mohamed Salah

 

21′

Salah is the first player to enter Martin Atkinson's book after a cynical trip on Sterling, with the Liverpool winger breezing past his opposite number with a turn of pace on the far side.

 

19′

Liverpool look slightly frustrated by Chelsea's resilient defensive performance and Coutinho's shot from range goes well wide of the target, underlining how the Reds will have to be patient to carve apart the visitors' backline.

 

17′

Salah wastes a chance to lead a Chelsea breakaway by handing possession straight back to the hosts before Gerrard is brought down by Schurrle. Liverpool's latest move of their own, however, also breaks down and Lucas is penalised for a trip on Frank Lampard.

 

15′

Steven Gerrard finds himself in space just outside the area but sees his low shot blocked by a brave Kalas challenge. The youngster has started well here.

 

13′

Cesar Azpilicueta's long throw is nodded on by Mamadou Sakho and almost causes a problem for Simon Mignolet in the Liverpool goal but he eventually claims the ball down low. Moments later Liverpool fashion a corner which results in a chance for Sakho, but he blazes over the bar.

 

11′

SIDE NETTING! Coutinho volleys into the side of Schwarzer's goal after a stunning piece of play from Suarez sees him skip away from a challenge and whip a ball over to the Brazilian, but his first-time effort fails to test the Chelsea goalkeeper.

 

9′

Kalas makes a tremendous tackle on Sterling to thwart the Liverpool wideman after he had spun in behind Schurrle but the Reds win two corners in quick succession, with Johnson having a speculative shot blocked away.

 

7′

Liverpool threaten to turn the screw as Philippe Coutinho and Jon Flanagan team up down the left, but the latter's cross is ultimately cleared away by Matic.

 

5′

Cole does well this time to intercept a crossfield pass from Gerrard and finds Schurrle, who embarks on a direct run before being upended by Glen Johnson near the halfway line.

 

3′

Sterling looks to take the game to Chelsea straight away by surging past Schurrle after the Blues had surrendered possession. His run is brought to a halt by Ashley Cole, who cleverly positions himself between the winger and the ball to retrieve possession and win a free-kick.

 

1′

We are underway at Anfield, with Chelsea kicking us off for the first half.

 

 

We are almost ready for kick-off at Anfield, where the atmosphere is electric once again as the fans embark on a chorus of the club's You'll Never Walk Alone anthem.

 

 

Manuel Pellegrini, the Manchester City manager, has suggested that Liverpool will have to extend that run to 14 consecutive wins if they are to win it, but you get the feeling a 12th today will see Rodgers and his charges home for a remarkable title triumph.

 

 

The Reds' 11-game winning streak has been nothing short of astonishing. There have been some comprehensive wins, with their swashbuckling brand of football, but they have also experienced four high-scoring, yet anxious and taxing, single-goal victories with a plucky Norwich side last time out demonstrating how Liverpool must go on to earn this title.

 

 

Three points for Liverpool today would put them firmly on course for the title and would give them some leway for what looks an increasingly testing trip to Selhurst Park to face Crystal Palace, who have been in fine recent form. The Reds are now facing the pressure of expectancy atop the standings heading into the final throes of the season. Can they handle it?

 

 

His comments should not fool Liverpool, though, the Portuguese will want to take all three points at Anfield if he possibly can. If Chelsea do win, and then take the requisite six points from their last two games against Norwich and Cardiff, there is still a glimmer of hope of securing a league and Champions League double in his first season back.

 

 

The Chelsea manager's press conference on Friday showed his spiky side as he dodged questions and confronted those challenging his idea to field a weakened side this weekend, but given the plethora of injuries and suspensions his side has picked up recently, his decision to rest players today seems understandable.

 

 

The Blues should be going into this game knowing that a win would make them odds-on for the title. But after last week's shock defeat at home to Sunderland, Mourinho knows a win today would merely serve to hand the momentum back to Manchester City.

 

 

Mourinho's side has the defensive assurance of John Obi Mikel and Matic and the pace on the flanks of both Salah and Schurrle, but Kalas faces a huge test against the rampant duo of Raheem Sterling and Luis Suarez, who will fancy their chances against the relatively untested Czech.

 

 

Into the Chelsea team come: Mark Schwarzer, Branislav Ivanovic, Tomas Kalas, Nemanja Matic, Mohamed Salah, Demba Ba and Andre Schurrle, with Cech, Terry, the suspended Ramires and David Luiz dropping out of the squad completely, while Gary Cahill, Willian and Fernando Torres are all on the bench.

 

 

Some of Mourinho's changes, meanwhile, are enforced, with Petr Cech and John Terry sustaining injuries during the first leg in Atletico, where the Blues battled to a gutsy 0-0 draw.

 

 

Liverpool's title tilt has benefitted from a lack of Champions League football and Brendan Rodgers is content to name an unchanged lineup from the XI that won 3-2 at Norwich City last weekend. Daniel Sturridge does return to the bench but is not risked from the start while Jordan Henderson sits out the second of his three-match suspension.

 

 

Chelsea substitutes: Hilario, Ake, Cahill, Van Ginkel, Baker, Willian, Torres.

 

 

Chelsea: Schwarzer; Azpilicueta, Ivanovic, Kalas, Cole; Mikel, Lampard, Matic; Salah, Ba, Schurrle.

 

 

Liverpool substitutes: Jones, Toure, Agger, Alberto, Aspas, Sturridge, Cissokho.

 

 

Here are the two teams in full, starting with today's hosts Liverpool: Mignolet; Johnson, Skrtel, Sakho, Flanagan; Lucas, Gerrard, Allen; Sterling, Suarez, Coutinho.

 

 

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho had suggested he would make wholesale changes for the trip to Anfield, with today's contest sandwiched between the Blues' two Champions League semi-final clashes with Atletico Madrid. The Portuguese is true to his word, making seven changes, but the team still looks strong on paper.

 

 

Good afternoon and welcome to this LIVE commentary of Liverpool v Chelsea from Anfield on a momentous day in the title race. Can Liverpool secure all three points and close in on an inagural Premier League crown? Or will Chelsea prove the party poopers and throw the three-horse race wide open once more. Stick with me, Tom Marshall-Bailey, for all the latest updates.