Crouch header wins Shield for Liverpool

Liverpool blasted into the lead when left-back Riise collected the ball inside his own penalty area, advanced unopposed down the right deep into Chelsea territory before unleashing a powerful low shot that somehow found a way past goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini.

Mohamed Sissoko outshone Michael Ballack in midfield as Liverpool dominated the first half but they ended it level after Frank Lampard chipped an inch-perfect 30-metre pass for Andriy Shevchenko to chest the ball down on the run before expertly steering it beyond Jose Reina.

Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho lamented the fact that so few of his squad were match-fit and did his best to sharpen up as many as possible with regular substitutions. With Benitez also using his full allocation of five changes, the second half was never able to settle into any rhythm.

However, one of those substitutes was Liverpool8217;s livewire forward Craig Bellamy and he created the winner when he skipped down the left wing and crossed for Crouch, left unmarked in front of goal. Liverpool8217;s fans, who used to treat this fixture as a mere sideshow to their regular league title wins, greeted the victory as if they had won the Champions League again.

8211;Mitch Phillips