Red machine rolls on

Carragher immense
Steven Gerrard's exhilarating winner against Olympiacos CFP last December was the spark that ignited Liverpool's UEFA Champions League-winning campaign. This season, the weight of responsibility is spread more evenly. Starting at the back where Jamie Carragher was again immense for the European champions as they picked up the point they needed against Chelsea FC to finish top of Group G.

Clean sheet
Not since Matchday 1 have Liverpool conceded a goal in the competition. Not since a 2-1 League Cup defeat by Crystal Palace FC in October have Liverpool conceded a goal at all. On Tuesday evening Liverpool had a point to prove. Didier Drogba had bullied their defence in the 4-1 defeat at Anfield two months ago, this time Carragher and Sami Hyypiä, who has played every minute of the 12 games since Liverpool entered July's first qualifying round, meted out revenge.

Chelsea frustration
Both teams had already qualified, but the idea that little rested on the match was belied in the second half by Chelsea’s growing frustration as attack after attack foundered at the feet of Liverpool's central pairing. Frank Lampard, after an uncharacteristically subdued performance, was booked for throwing the ball away when whistled offside with 15 minutes to play. Moments later Ricardo Carvalho was also shown the yellow card for clattering into Fernando Morientes as tempers flared.

Essien foul
The game lacked none of the physicality expected from an all-English tie. Rafael Benítez shot out from the dugout to berate Michael Essien after a foul on Dietmar Hamann that left the German clutching his left leg in pain. José Mourinho tried to calm the Liverpool manager as Hamann received treatment, but it was Benítez who was to have the final word.

Fifth triumph
The Liverpool supporters too seemed to hold the upper hand. Chelsea fans chanting the 4-1 scoreline of their side's recent win at Anfield were countered with "five times, we've only won it five times" by Scousers still basking in the glory of that famous fifth European triumph in Istanbul last summer. A Turkish flag was held aloft. Chelsea might be champions in England, but Liverpool trade in a different currency.

Big guns avoided
Mourinho suggested that few UEFA Champions League teams could come to Stamford Bridge and defend so solidly. He may be right, but the claim that finishing first in the group was not overly important rang hollow. Liverpool are now sure to avoid both Milan sides and Group F winners Olympique Lyonnnais, who on current evidence are more of a threat to their crown than a rudderless Real Madrid CF. Liverpool will also not have to face FC Barcelona or Arsenal FC before the quarter-finals at the earliest.

Sterner stuff
The European champions' dozen matches so far are only three fewer than it took them to win the competition last season. Just getting to the knockout stages then seemed an achievement. Benítez's side have since raised the level of expectation. Some things change others stay the same; for the fourth UEFA Champions League match between the two sides this year Chelsea failed to score against Liverpool. Chants of "Boring, boring Liverpool," rang round the ground as the final whistle approached, but it was music to Liverpool supporters’ ears. Gerrard's heroic strike against Olympiacos last season may have been the stuff of legend, but another clean sheet here meant nearly as much.