Frenzy precedes 'biggest-ever' semi

By Peter Sterling

From a 16-page guide in The Times to an edited photograph in The Sun depicting José Mourinho with an oversized big head, tonight's UEFA Champions League semi-final between Chelsea FC and Liverpool FC dominates England's sports pages on Wednesday.

£100 million match
The match also makes the front pages with the Daily Star labelling the game "Britain's first £100 million cup tie" based on revenue, betting, sponsorship, increased television rights and prize money.

Heart and soul
The Guardian says the neutral must decide whether to support Chelsea - "a Russian billionaire's plaything" - or Liverpool, "a club that has long been the heart and soul of its community".

Papers neutral
What is most notable about the coverage is the neutrality of the papers' predictions. Most of them let the managers speak for themselves and widely report on Monday's press conferences – but not everyone is sitting on the fence.

Technical breakdown
Former manager Gordon Strachan's technical analysis in The Guardian, suggests one way for Liverpool to break Chelsea down. "It is hard to find weaknesses in this Chelsea team but there is one area which Liverpool might be able to exploit. I think they would do well to invite Chelsea to come forward through William Gallas and then counterattack down that side."

Key battles
Mark Lawrenson, a member of Liverpool's 1984 European Champion Clubs' Cup-winning team writing in the Daily Mirror, pinpoints three key battles: Didier Drogba v Sami Hyypiä, Joe Cole v Djimi Traore, and Claude Makelele v Steven Gerard.

Biggest test
"José Mourinho has already faced the might of Barcelona and Bayern – but Liverpool will be their biggest test in the Champions League. Rafael Benítez will be cute enough to set his team up so they can snatch a score draw at Stamford Bridge and hold out for a goalless draw at Anfield," says Lawrenson.

Chelsea favourites
But The Mirror also says that three wins out of three by Chelsea over Liverpool this season "leave the champions-elect heavy odds-on favourites to claim the biggest prize ever at stake in a match between two English clubs."

Lucky break?
Besides its edited photo of Mourinho under the headline: "Heads I win, My ego's bigger now than when I first got here," The Sun also points to Chelsea's three victories against the Reds this term, but adds: "Some team, some time, has got to get a break against Chelsea. And when better than the semi-finals of Champions League."

Midfield battle
The Times reflects on everything from Chelsea being bullied out of appearing in the first European Cup competition by the English authorities after winning the title in 1955 to an analysis of tonight's midfield battle between England team mates Gerrard and Frank Lampard.

'Middle Earth'
Under the heading "Battle for Middle Earth", The Times analyses their passing, shooting, temperament, X-factors, stamina, durability and weaknesses before awarding Gerrard 61 points out of 70 to Lampard's 60.

Real hype
It also admits: "There is too much hype in football but we feel we can safely assert that there has never been a match, or rather two matches, quite like the ones at Stamford Bridge tonight and Anfield next Tuesday."

The Big One
Finally, The Star says there is more at stake than just a place in next month's final. "It's about north v south, it's about old stagers Liverpool and their famous four European Cups against new boys Chelsea who have only been this far in the competition once. It's the clash all England has been waiting for. It's the Big One. Bring it on."