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England Premier League

Liverpool Eye Champions League Return After Big Win at Chelsea

Stewart Flaherty, November 21 2011,
Liverpool moved into the Premier League top six with a 2-1 win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
Glen Johnson (R) is congratulated by Liverpool teammates after his dramatic winning goal at Stamford Bridge.
Glen Johnson (R) is congratulated by Liverpool teammates after his dramatic winning goal at Stamford Bridge.
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The win was described as “fantastic” by manager Kenny Dalglish, and had defender Glen Johnson eyeing a return to Europe’s biggest stage for the Reds.

“We’re taking it game by game but our aim is the top four and that’s what we are fighting for,” Johnson told BBC Sport after scoring the game-winning goal at Stamford Bridge.

Liverpool have missed out on Champions League qualification in the last couple of seasons, and are not participating in any form of European competition this term.

However, the Reds are not without pedigree in the competition, their most recent Champions League win in 2005 being one of five European titles that the club has won.

Dalglish’s men traveled to Stamford Bridge on Sunday knowing that this game would be a good test of their top four credentials this season.

Liverpool had to weather an early storm as Juan Mata fired wide for Chelsea, before Didier Drogba hit a free kick into the side netting.

The Reds held firm, and ended up taking a 33rd minute lead when Maxi Rodriguez finished well after being set up by Craig Bellamy.

Chelsea introduced Daniel Sturridge at the break, and the young striker made an impact by equalizing in the 55th minute from a Florent Malouda cross.

With only six minutes remaining Chelsea brought on former Reds players Raul Meireles and Fernando Torres. The reserve role played by Torres almost validated the successful move by the Reds to offload Torres and reload with Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez last season.

In the 87th minute England defender Johnson settled matters, when he collected a fine Charlie Adam pass, and beat Ashley Cole and Malouda before firing home.

Johnson’s strike against his former club sparked manic celebrations on the Liverpool bench, and Reds boss Dalglish praised his fullback after the game.

“It was a great finish by Glen. I don’t know what he was doing in there but it was a great finish,” Dalglish told BBC Sport.

LINEUPS

CHE – Cech, Ivanovic, Cole, Luiz, Terry, Ramires (Meireles 84), Lampard, Mikel (Sturridge 46), Malouda, Mata, Drogba (Torres 84).

LIV – Reina, Johnson, Enrique, Agger, Skrtel, Maxi (Downing 77), Lucas, Adam, Suarez (Carroll 89), Kuyt, Bellamy (Henderson 66).

SCORING SUMMARY

LIV – Maxi Rodriguez (Craig Bellamy) 33’
CHE – Daniel Sturridge (Florent Malouda) 55’
LIV – Glen Johnson (Charlie Adam) 87’

LiveSoccerTV Man of the Match: Glen Johnson (Liverpool)

Attendance: 41,820

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