Chelsea faced Liverpool in 2003 in what proved to be one of the club’s most important victories in their history. Not only did the victory secure Champions League football for the Blues, but just weeks later Roman Abramovich bought the club and set them on the road to success.
against the game Liverpool Sami Hyppia opened the scoring for the visitors at Stamford Bridge, despite a poor start. Marcel Desailly equalized in the 27th minute before Jesper Gronkjaer scored.
By doing so, Gronkjer convinced Abramović to buy Chelseawho eventually turned the Blues into England’s pre-eminent force – funded by money from Russian oligarchs.
Chelsea changed in victory against Liverpool
Carlo Cudicini played in goal for Chelsea during the game and how important it seemed at the time and ultimately proved to be.
“It was undoubtedly one of the most important matches in my career,” Cudicini said Four four two.
“It wasn’t just Champions League football – it put a whole club at risk. Given Chelsea’s subsequent history, there was a lot riding on that game. If we hadn’t qualified for the Champions League, we would have been in serious financial trouble. Difficulties, and on top of that. I’m not sure if Abramovich would have bought the club at all it was a huge, huge match.
“To be involved in that game felt like playing an important part in Chelsea’s history.”
The 2003/04 season proved a real turning point for Chelsea, with the Blues finishing second in the league behind the unbeaten Arsenal and reached the semi-finals Champions League.
Hernan Crespo, Claude Makelele, Damien Duff, Juan Sebastian Veron and Adrian Mutu all arrived for big money, before Jose Mourinho replaced Claudio Ranieri in the dugout in the summer of 2004. -Back Premier League title, The FA Cup And two League Cups, proving just how significant the game against Liverpool was.
Without Abramovich, it’s fair to say that much of this would never have happened, with two Champions League crowns unlikely.
