[Torque]

Chelsea entertain Liverpool on Wednesday with a place in the Champions League final at stake.

EUROPEAN PEDIGREE

The Blues won the Cup Winners' Cup in 1971 and 1998, when they later added the Super Cup, but they are yet to make it beyond the semi-finals of the Champions League - a feat achieved in 2004, 2005 and 2007.

Liverpool's continental success is unrivalled in Britain, with their five European Cup crowns eclipsed only by Real Madrid (nine) and AC Milan (six).

Manager Rafael Benitez won over the fans in his first season with the famous comeback triumph in Istanbul in 2005 and taking the Reds to the final in Athens in 2007 proved it was not a fluke.

FORM

Chelsea have had a consistent season and were always in touch with the Premier League leaders without being favourites to win the title.

However, Saturday's 2-1 victory over Manchester United put them joint top with the defending champions with just two matches to go. The fact they came away from Anfield with a 1-1 draw despite being over-run in the second half will give them confidence.

Liverpool have hit form at the right time - their last defeat coming on March 23 against Manchester United.

Benitez's focus on the Champions League has been to the detriment of his side's league form as he persistently rested key players earlier in the campaign. However, they still managed to recover from a two-goal deficit to draw 2-2 with Birmingham on Saturday with a much-changed side.

They must, though, get over the manner they conceded Chelsea's equaliser in the first leg which has given the west London side the edge.

PLAYERS

In defence and midfield there is little to choose between the two sides, where both ooze quality and solidity in almost every position. In recent seasons Liverpool's quality was undermined by their attacking options when compared with Chelsea's.

However, in Fernando Torres they have Europe's top striker this season while Blues frontman Didier Drogba has been less effective. Chelsea's January acquisition of Nicolas Anelka was shrewd and the quality he brings could be vital.

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