Manchester City will play Liverpool in this season’s Champions League quarter-finals. This is the first meeting between two Premier League sides since 2010-11 when Manchester United faced Chelsea. There have been some entertaining ties and with Liverpool being the only team to have beaten City in the league this season, hopefully we won’t be disappointed.
Let’s take a look back at the last five all English ties in the Champions League.
2010-11 Quarter-Finals
Manchester United 3-1 Chelsea on aggregate
You’re forgiven if you don’t remember this tie taking place. Fernando Torres had completed his £50-million move to Chelsea only a few months earlier but struggled upfront. Manchester United won the first leg at Stamford Bridge with a solitary Wayne Rooney goal. The second leg at Old Trafford was only marginally better with United winning 2-1.
2008-09 Semi-Finals
Manchester United 4-1 Arsenal on aggregate
John O’Shea was the surprising match-winner for United in the first leg at Old Trafford scoring the only goal. The second leg will be forever remembered for Cristiano Ronaldo’s 40-yard screamer. Park had put the Red Devils in front after only 8-minutes before the Portuguese wizard scored his stunning free-kick. Ronaldo added a third before Van Persie scored a consolation penalty as Darren Fletcher was dismissed.
2008-09 Quarter-Finals
Chelsea 7-5 Liverpool on aggregate
Liverpool were challenging for the Premier League title but were shocked by Chelsea in the first-leg at Anfield. Guus Hiddink had recenelty replaced the sacked Luiz Felipe Scolari and rejuvenated the Blues. Torres gave Liverpool an early lead but Ivanovic was the unlikely hero scoring from 2 corners, before Drogba sealed the 3-1 win. The second leg started well for Liverpool and they had levelled the tie by half-time from an Aurelio free-kick and an Alonso penalty. But a calamitous error by Reds keeper Pepe Reina gifted Drogba a goal before the game erupted into utter, stunning madness. Alex blasted in a brilliant free-kick before Lampard made it 3-2. However Liverpool went back in front courtesy of goals from Lucas Levia and Dirk Kuyt. One more goal would have sent the Reds through but Lampard ended any hopes in the 89th minute as the game finished 4-4.
2007-08 Final
Manchester United 1-1 Chelsea (United win 6-5 on penalties)
The only ever all English Champions League final took place on a rainy night in Moscow. Ronaldo headed United in front after 26 minutes before Lampard equalised right on halftime. Drogba was sent off late in extra-time for slapping Vidic and he would be missed. The penalty shootout saw Ronaldo make a mess of his effort, but that would be forgotten by John Terry’s unfortunate slip as his attempt hit the post. Edwin Van der Sar made the decisive save from Nicolas Anelka to give United the trophy.
2007-08 Semi-Final
Chelsea 4-3 Liverpool on aggregate after extra-time
Kuyt’s first half strike had given Liverpool the lead only to be thwarted by a 95th minute John Arne Riise own goal. They couldn’t be separated in the second leg after both teams scored and extra time was required. An emotional Lampard scored in his first game since his mother’s death to put Chelsea back ahead before Drogba increased the lead. Ryan Babel made it a tense end but the Blues held on to win 3-2.
The first leg between Liverpool and Manchester City is at Anfield on 4 April, with the return on 10 April. For the neutral, let’s hope it lives up to the hype.
