AnfieldRoad.com - North v South

AnfieldRoad.com - North v South

Sunday, 27 February 2005
Today's Carling Cup final between Chelsea and Liverpool has put so many comparisons up for scrutiny between the two teams.

Mourinho v Benitez - perhaps the two most successful continental coaches of the last few years face each other in a tactical battle.

Abramovich v Moores - the Russian with the cash to buy most of the Premiership if rules would allow him to, against David Moores, part of the family that used to own the Littlewoods empire, but no longer, and now certainly has less cash to throw around than his opposite number.

Lampard v Gerrard - two English midfielders face each other in the centre of the park, probably the best two English midfielders, and their partnership for England is going to be repeated at club level if you believe all the hype. Which we'd advise you not to. Lampard is at least spared having to face another of Liverpool's players - Alonso won't be playing due to the broken bones he got from a tackle by Lampard earlier in the season.

Terry v Carragher - two English centre-backs, who aren't first choice for their country. It seems that the England manager will pick Campbell and Ferdinand first whenever they're available, with John Terry there for cover should one be unavailable. Carragher meanwhile has been transformed from a good defensive full-back, perhaps lacking a little in the attacking aspects of his game, into Liverpool's most reliable player. Due to the quality of defenders he may never be established as more than a fringe player at international level.

Kewell v Duff - two left-sided midfielders that were strongly linked with moves to Liverpool from their clubs a few years back. Duff has been perhaps more effective than Kewell after his move, but neither have matched the expectations built up for them.

Then we have the Czech v Czech. Or Cech v Baros to be more precise. Liverpool's Baros has become a first-choice striker at Anfield after the departure of Michael Owen, but his excellent performance in Euro 2004 maybe would have done that anyway. His goalkeeper in that competition faces him today, and hopes to continue his successful run of conceding very few goals in English football.
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