Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho cut a forlorn figure after Liverpool FC defeated a side on which the Portuguese has lavished over £600 million in three years, over £30 million on Andrei Shevchenko alone. That’s a monumental sum for such mediocre returns. Not only are Chelsea lagging Manchester United in the league, having spent nearly half a billion pounds more on the team, but their football hardly sets the world alight, despite the obvious talent available. Mourinho’s strange posturing in recent weeks, met with seemingly wry amusement – and some bewilderment - by a sanguine Rafa Benitez, now looks even sillier than it did before Chelsea crashed out of Europe’s major football prize in the unparalleled roar of Anfield. Much as Mourinho achieved at Porto, his ’special’ talents haven’t extended to the Premier League or the European stage; Benitez’s tactics were better last night, and Alex Ferguson has wrung wonders from his dazzling youngsters. How Jose would love to manage a team with Liverpool’s pedigree, fanbase and spirit. It’s at least good to know that money only gets you so far. ”Jose, Special 1 My Arse” read one Liverpool banner last night. Meanwhile, Liverpool Football Club has written another chapter in its august history and a May 23rd Champions League Final against AC Milan, beaten finalists in 2005, or, more tantalizingly, arch-rivals Manchester United, beckons after yet another glorious European night at Anfield. If Liverpool face AC Milan, seeking revenge for 2005’s nail-biting defeat on penalties, I’m sure a sixth star, representing another European Cup, will adorn Liverpool FC official merchandise. United will be a different prospect, not least for the security services in Athens, inevitably and sadly. Stevie G, Carra et al will have to put in an Olympian performance in Greece, not least to ensure bragging rights go to the right end of the M62. I don’t think it’s beyond a team that has extraordinary belief from its scouse heart to its Iberian wings. What a prospect. (pic c liverpoolfc.tv)
