Chelsea v Liverpool European history: Three goals in nine hours, but always lots to talk about

Seventh? I thought you just said this was their third semi-final? You've obviously forgotten the two scintillating goalless group games back in 2006.

Of course, how could I forget? Easily. They were two of the most tedious games the Champions League has ever produced. So what about the previous two semi-finals? They must have been pretty special?

Not really. Three goals in four games, defensive football, few chances. Not much for the neutral — except the Anfield atmosphere.

So, in nine hours of Champions League football, these two teams have scored just three goals?

That's right. Three goals — and one of them wasn't even over the line. I bet that went down well.

Jose Mourinho's still banging on about it — and he's not even Chelsea manager any more. Luis Garcia's fourthminute 'ghost goal' at Anfield was enough to send Liverpool to Istanbul. Jose was right, the ball didn't cross the line, but if the goal hadn't been given, Petr Cech would probably have seen red for a foul on Milan Baros and 10-man Chelsea would have had to contain Liverpool for 86 minutes.

Presumably Jose was gracious in defeat last year after losing on penalties at Anfield? 'We were the best team in the first game and the best again last night,' was his verdict.

How we miss him. But, with Jose gone, surely tonight can't be as bad as the other six European games?

The clubs have scored 41 goals between them in this season's Champions League (Liverpool 26, Chelsea 15) and 122 in the Premier League (Liverpool 62, Chelsea 60).

You never know, there might be more than one goal tonight. What about recent Premier League meetings?

Even if the football's boring, there's always something to talk about. Two years ago, Jose Reina was sent off for pushing Arjen Robben in the face.

The Dutchman's dying swan routine was so dramatic Rafa Benitez wondered whether he'd 'broken his neck'. Seven months later, Michael Ballack was sent off for a horrible lunge on Momo Sissoko — possible retribution for an equally bad challenge on Frank Lampard. X-rated football, then. And this season?

Chelsea were awarded a dubious penalty at Anfield when Florent Malouda collapsed theatrically in the area for no apparent reason. Ten minutes later, Rob Styles appeared to issue John Mikel Obi with a second yellow card — and Steven Gerrard accused Chelsea's players of intimidating the referee throughout the game.

Anything else I need to know?

53 players have contested the previous six games but only six (Cech, John Terry, Frank Lampard, Didier Drogba, Jamie Carragher and Gerrard) have played in every one.

What does the formbook say?

The first leg will be Rafa's 18th competitive game against Chelsea as Liverpool boss. He might have the edge in Europe but overall he's lost twice as many as he's won against the Londoners.