Liverpool hurt in injury time

Riise loses his head as late own goal gives Chelsea crucial advantage going into the semi-final8217;s second leg

Chelsea snatched a Champions League lifeline as Liverpool defender John Arne Riise8217;s last-gasp own goal allowed Avram Grant8217;s side to escape with a 1-1 draw from semi-final first leg.

Liverpool had dominated after taking the lead through Dirk Kuyt just before half-time at Anfield but they failed to press home that advantage.

Petr Cech produced three superb saves to keep out Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard and Chelsea were able to make Rafa Benitez8217;s team pay in the final minute of stoppage time when Riise headed into his own net.

Benitez was understandably devastated by the late goal. 8220;It is really disappointing,8221; said the Spaniard. 8220;An own goal at the end of the game, it really is a blow.8221;

Cech said Chelsea had deserved the rub of the green after being at the wrong end of two semi-final exits in the last three years by Liverpool.

The crowd8217;s frenzied passion didn8217;t inspire many fireworks on the pitch early on though. Goals are at a premium whenever these obdurate sides meet in Europe and it was a typically tentative start. Liverpool threatened to break the stalemate first. Kuyt raced onto Xabi Alonso8217;s long pass, only for the Dutchman8217;s poor chest control to let Ricardo Carvalho and Cech clear the danger.

Joe Cole had a sight of goal when Frank Lampard, back after spending time with his ill mother, picked out the England winger in the area. Cole8217;s tame volley didn8217;t do justice to the sublime pass.

Relentless pressing

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When Steven Gerrard8217;s defence-splitting pass put Fernando Torres clean through, Anfield rose in expectation of yet another decisive contribution from the Spaniard. For once Torres was frustrated as Cech made a superb stop.

Gradually Liverpool began to turn the screw and their relentless pressing played a key role in Kuyt8217;s 43rd minute opener after Chelsea were unhinged by Alonso8217;s quick free-kick.

Kuyt robbed Lampard on the edge of the area and Javier Mascherano took a swipe at the loose ball. The Argentine8217;s miscued effort should have been cleared but Claude Makelele rashly jumped in front of Ashley Cole and Kuyt was able to pounce, sliding his shot under Cech. Liverpool were grateful for the gift but it was a shambolic goal to concede and summed up Chelsea8217;s confused display.

Chelsea emerged after half-time just as flat as before.

Ryan Babel was a constant danger and went close in the 60th minute with a dipping half-volley that flashed past Cech8217;s far post.

Late action

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Chelsea finally stirred when Michael Ballack met Lampard8217;s free-kick with a glancing header which Jose Reina held well.

Florent Malouda had a much better chance moments later as he took Lampard8217;s pass and cut inside Alvaro Arbeloa. Mascherano slid in with a crucial block.

Gerrard forced a brilliant one-handed tip-over from Cech in the closing minutes as Liverpool strove to take total control of the tie.

With virtually the last kick of the game, Salomon Kalou swung in a cross from the left and Riise, diving to head clear, succeeded only in diverting the ball into his own net.