LiveRPooL MaRcHeD 2 FiNaL

Early strike lifts LiverpoolRob Hughes International Herald Tribune WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 2005

LIVERPOOL, England Liverpool is back in the final of the European Cup for the first time since its power as a club was ruined by the catastrophe of Heysel Stadium, where it faced Juventus in 1985 and 39 Juve fans died in the crumbling arena. By defeating Chelsea on Tuesday night, through the solitary goal of two matches played home and away, Liverpool prevented the unprecedented purchasing power of Chelsea from assuming, just yet, the summit of the Champions League.

What is it that turns on so many millions watching 264 TV stations worldwide?

Essentially it is the Englishness, the expectation that adrenaline will be pulsating, bodies committed, frantic and furious collisions of men clad in Liverpool red versus Chelsea blue. It was all of that, fueled by the deafening roar of Anfield, one of the most dramatic theaters of soccer on earth. But with only five Englishmen playing - two in Liverpool's lineup, three belonging to Chelsea - there was bound to be more technical skill, more imagination and thought among the 14 nationalities employed in these two "English" clubs. The first significant attack brought a goal. Steven Gerrard, the Liverpool captain, was allowed to play the ball straight down the middle into Chelsea's penalty area. Milan Baros reached it, hooked it over the advancing goalie Petr Cech, and was body checked gridiron style. And these are countrymen!

The Czech Republic goalkeeper would surely have been sent off had Liverpool not scored from the move. But the ball bounced free, Luis Garcia was the most alert man in the box, and his attempt to force the ball into the net was hacked off the line by William Gallas. Lubos Michel, the Slovakian referee, at once signaled that the ball had crossed the line. The 44,000 spectators inside the ground erupted in acclamation. They were singing in the rain. But none of them, and none of us able to see a TV monitor, could be absolutely sure it had crossed the line. The camera's view was inconclusive.

Technology does not rule the game yet, and the observation of the referee and linesman was that the ball did cross the white line. We can argue forever, but the goal stands. So, it appeared that the cavalry charge of Liverpool that had shaken Juventus in this uniquely voluminous ground now had Chelsea on the run. Slowly, gradually, the team that is the most expensively assembled in world soccer exerted a measure of midfield control - yet there is a tiredness to Chelsea now, and a wounded aspect to both its flanks.

Both wingers, Damien Duff and Arjen Robben, are injured, though Robben was on the bench. Both fullbacks, Paolo Ferreira and Wayne Bridge, are also casualties. And the sheer intensity that has driven Chelsea all season long was visibly debilitating the team's work ethic. As long as the score remained 1-0 the tension still hung around Anfield. An equalizer at any time would have devastated the home side because of the Champions League rule that away goals effectively count double. The contest sustained its high tempo, yet obduracy was the outstanding trait. What Liverpool had, it was determined to defend by any means.

The first real save Liverpool goalie Jerzy Dudek made in this two-leg semifinal was a dive to his right to claw away a Frank Lampard free kick that skidded across the wet turf 68 minutes into the match. A tackle, then another and another stifled Chelsea like a red tourniquet. Unremitting like the falling rain, the Liverpool challenges defied Chelsea's movement, and Gerrard was at the heart of this. Chelsea had tried to sign him at the start of the season, and may still, but now he is going to Istanbul for the final on May 25.

Chelsea must wait a year or more.