Rafa-era Reds finally win at the Bridge

Coming into this game, I already conditioned myself that we would be lucky if Liverpool could at least snatch a point in their game against Chelsea. Odds are certainly against us especially that the it has been four years now since Rafael Benitez acrimoniously left then La Liga champions Valencia to manage England’s most decorated club, yet until Sunday he has yet to muster a win against their bitter rivals from London.

Can not blame me nor even many of Liverpool fans all over the world for being cautiously pessimistic on any idea of a win at Stamford Bridge since Chelsea themselves has not tasted defeat in their grounds in 86 games. Although, the day eventually belonged to Liverpool, defender Jamie Carragher, who received the nod as the game’s best player for keeping Nicolas Anelka less ambitious in the box than usual, was quick to downplay their title credentials saying it was still too early in the season.

I, too, believe that Liverpool, despite at the top of the BPL table after nine matches played, needs more than this win to convince most especially their supporters that they are indeed serious contenders for the league this season. What they need is to win against the middle table clubs like the Blackburns, the Portsmouths, and the Aston Villas consistently, something they have had difficulty in the last four years.

This Wednesday, Liverpool has a chance to stay three points or more clear of their closest rival as they face a Portsmouth side which drew in the weekend and just lost their manager Harry Redknapp to Tottenham. This is a good opportunity to bolster their chances as they find themselves in unfamiliar territory being chanced by the rest of the Big Four.