How Chelsea rated

Jose Manuel Reina

In difficult conditions, his handling was frequently tested. Should he have held Kalou’s shot, which led to the opening goal? Ray Clemence would have done, but goalkeepers are educated differently now.

7

Alvaro Arbeloa

Small details decide big games, as Benítez is fond of saying, and it was Arbeloa who failed to cut out Lampard’s pass in the build-up to the opening goal. Did not allow that to affect his confidence, though.

6

Jamie Carragher

Like Gerrard and Terry, he knew that one mistimed challenge would keep him out of the final if Liverpool got there, but his timing was excellent. Struggled against Drogba early on, but shone in the second half.

7

Martin Skrtel

Benítez entrusted the young Slovakia defender, rather than the less mobile Hyypia, with the task of subduing Drogba, but he struggled after suffering a blow to his left knee and soon departed from the fray.

5

John Arne Riise

Barracked (or was it welcomed?) by the home fans after his own goal in the first leg and did not look like a player with much confidence. Hesitant in defence, he did offer more going forward later on.

5

Javier Mascherano

There are different ways of playing the midfield holding role and, for Mascherano, the Makelele way is not enough. Charged around and began to assert himself in the second half after chasing shadows in the first.

7

Xabi Alonso

Will this prove to be his last stand in the Liverpool midfield? He will be the player most at risk if Benítez signs Gareth Barry from Aston Villa. Passed it well enough, but not the force he once was.

5

Dirk Kuyt

Can we discuss him without mentioning his workrate? No, because it defines him. He had scored five goals in the tournament before last night and he looked Liverpool’s most likely scorer until Torres came to life.

6

Steven Gerrard

Has often been Liverpool’s match-winner on European nights, but not here. It is great when he sees plenty of the ball, as he did in the second half, but for long periods he may have felt powerless to help his team.

6

Yossi Benayoun

A surprising, but inspired, inclusion on the left. Frequently brings to mind the late Brian Clough’s description of Trevor Brooking (“he floats like a butterfly, he stings like one too”), but set up Torres superbly for the equaliser.

7

Fernando Torres

Two goalscoring chances apart — one of which he took — he was quiet, but it was mystifying when Benítez took him off after Chelsea went 2-1 up. Perhaps he was injured. There can be no other explanation.

6

Substitutes:

Sami Hyypia (for Skrtel, 21min): Recovered after an uncomfortable start against Drogba, but mistimed challenge was costly 4

Jermaine Pennant (for Benayoun, 78): Offered more orthodox threat on right 5

Ryan Babel (for Torres, 98): Scored with a speculative shot in extra time, but it was too little too late 6