With less than two days rest since Sunday's hard-fought Premier League draw with Manchester City, Reds' boss Kenny Dalglish shuffled his pack, making 7 changes to his starting line-up. The plan worked, with the visitors putting in a commanding performance to reach the semi-finals of the competition for the first time since 2005.
Key to Liverpool's victory was Welsh striker Craig Bellamy. Following the tragic death of Bellamy's friend and international manager Gary Speed on Sunday, the forward was left out of the squad to face City. He returned at Stamford Bridge, and after shedding a tear during an emotional minutes applause for Speed, Bellamy was at the heart of most of the Reds' good work.
The Reds' survived an early penalty appeal when Uruguayan defender Sebastian Coates clearly felled David Luiz, but rather than give the penalty, referee Phil Dowd instead booked the Brazilian. Luiz was then lucky not to be shown a second caution when he pushed Andy Carroll in the Chelsea box, but again Dowd saw no offence.
In the 22nd minute though, Dowd did eventually point to the spot when Alex handled the ball. Carroll stepped up to take the kick, but fired it straight down the middle where Chelsea keeper Ross Turnbull was waiting.
The rest of the half saw few chances, with the only noteworthy act being a terrible foul by Lukaku on Henderson, although Dowd incorrectly booked Blues left-back Ryan Bertrand instead of the Belgian striker.
The second half saw Chelsea come to life, with Florent Malouda looping a header on to the bar, but it proved to be a brief respite for the home side as just before the hour the visitors took the lead.
When a superb Henderson ball released Bellamy down the right, the Welsh striker bided his time before hitting a perfect cross to the back post, where the waiting Maxi Rodriguez tapped home. It was Maxi's second goal at Stamford Bridge in 9 days and his 10th in his last 9 starts.
Five minutes later it got even better for the Reds. Bellamy's trickery won a free-kick down the left, from which he delivered a fantastic ball for Martin Kelly to head home his first Liverpool goal.
The home side were shell-shocked. Andre Villas Boas sent on Nicolas Anelka and Juan Mata, but along with ex-red Fernando Torres, they found it impossible to prise open a stubborn Liverpool defence, with Coates particularly impressive.
The last twenty minutes saw Liverpool cruise home, with the only sore point of the evening coming when Lucas Leiva was stretchered off with a nasty looking knee injury. Such is the Brazilian midfielder's growing influence on the Reds side, Dalglish will hope the injury is not as bad as first feared.
With ten minutes to go, Dalglish brought Bellamy off to a standing ovation from the 5,500 strong visiting fans. In appreciation for the Welsh striker's efforts in a tough week, the travelling Kop sung 'There's only one Gary Speed'.
Liverpool now join Manchester City, Cardiff City and Manchester United or Crystal Palace in the semi-finals as they bid to reach the new Wembley for the first time. For Chelsea, this was the latest in a growing list of defeats for new boss Villas Boas. Their Champions League decider against Valencia in two weeks now takes on added importance.
Liverpool News 24/7
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