Liverpool have given themselves a great chance of qualifying for the Champions League final after holding Chelsea to a goalless draw in the first leg of the semi-final at Stamford Bridge.

It would perhaps be premature to suggest the hard work has been completed following a resolute display in London, but Liverpudlians everywhere will already be licking their lips at the prospect of next week's return leg with a place in Istanbul at stake.

The one downer on the night for the Reds was a late booking for Xabi Alonso which rules him out of next week's second leg. (VERY SAD)

The Reds were well worth their draw after restricting Chelsea to only a handful of good chances while always looking capable of causing problems at the other end of the field.

Chelsea created more of the openings in the first half, but Liverpool also did enough to remind Jose Mourinho's men they weren't here just to make up the numbers.

John Arne Riise maybe should have done better when a shooting chance presented itself after 18 minutes, but he could only drive his effort straight at Petr Cech when a shot either side of the Chelsea goalkeeper could have brought a greater reward.

Cech was forced into an even better save shortly before the half time whistle when he flew away to his right hand side to brilliantly turn Milan Baros' glancing header around the post for a corner.

Amd Cisse almost made an immediate impact when he found space on the right side of the area but blasted his shot on the run high over Cech's goal.

The Reds controlled Chelsea much better after the break and in the end looked as capable of grabbing an away goal as the home side did over securing the victory most neutrals expected they would canter to.

Liverpool can be more than pleased with their night's work as they msde a mockery of the 31 point gap which exists between the two clubs in the league table to force a goalless draw which perfectly sets up the second leg at Anfield next Tuesday.

It should be another Anfield European night to savour.

COME ON YOU REDS

just got in from watching the game

yes its a shame about alonso

but for an away game we played tactically well

but we didnt get that important away goal

so its wait and see what happens next week

COME ON YOU REDS

ooh. ouch. we're in trouble. congrats.

a little bit (nice) surprise for me that Liverpool can make it. Congrats to all REDS

Yes it suprised me, I even thought we might lose at Stamford, it was a stalement with Baros who had the best chance, now the pressure is on at Anfield for both clubs, hopefully great game next tuesday. Alonso a big loss, but in the final fingers crossed.

if lampard had not of been asleep you would of lost. but fair play you reds held out and its all in your own hands now.

Meet you on Saturday Shaun. Lucky cech was in goal or a cech would of scored for sure great goal keeping saved chelsea>

I got tickets and will be there to watch chelsea STUFF liverpool!

On behalf of my sexie yummy Baros,, I gotta say apologize to all the kops here..

I wonder what if we loose at our anfield? ..... another surprise like we lost not last nite?

all the best, i watch it all alone last nite, not really fun.

No way Chris!!!!! ((I hope so))