LIVERPOOL, England, (Reuters) – Two goals by defender Branislav Ivanovic and another from Didier Drogba completed a stunning Chelsea comeback for a 3-1 victory over Liverpool in the Champions League yesterday.
Fernando Torres had pounced in the sixth minute to give five-times European champions Liverpool the perfect start to the first leg of the quarter-final tie at Anfield.
But Chelsea, last season’s beaten finalists, will go into next Tuesday’s second leg clear favourites to advance to the semi-finals after Ivanovic inspired a turnaround for Guus Hiddink’s team. The Serbia defender took advantage of poor Liverpool marking to head home an equaliser from a corner before halftime.
Ivanovic repeated his effort with a carbon-copy goal after the break before Drogba marked his return from a toe injury with the third goal which leaves Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez praying for a miracle at Stamford Bridge.
“We need to score three goals in the second leg. That’s going to be very difficult,” Benitez told a news conference.
Chelsea’s loss of captain John Terry to suspension for the return leg after he was booked for a foul on Liverpool keeper Jose Reina will worry them less after this result.
“I must give my compliments to the team…They always react which is good to see,” Hiddink told Sky Sports.