TheScore

Preamble: This is historic, people. I'll be guiding you through the first football (soccer for those of you in the states) liveblog on The Score. And we've got quite an enticing -- or lifeless, who knows -- fixture for you.
Third in the Premier League entertains second (on goal difference) this afternoon in a match that will no doubt go a long way in deciding who the second best team in England really is. Or decide just how entertaining 0-0 really is. Or decide who has really lost the plot, Rafa or Big Phil. I don't really know.
Neither club has set the league alight in the new year, but Liverpool in particular has been ghastly. The scum as they are warmly referred to have yet to win in 2009 (three draws). It all coincides with El Rant -- manager Rafa Benitez' verbal attack on Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson on Jan. 9. Chelsea, on the other hand, has looked less than impressive despite collecting nine out of nine points.

Random thought: Bruce Sprinsteen to perform "Philadelphia" tonight at the Super Bowl. You heard it here first.

Chelsea: Cech, Bosingwa, Terry, Alex, A. Cole, Ballack, Mikel, Lampard, Kalou, Anelka, Malouda
Substitutes: Hilario, Ivanovic, Drogba, Deco, Ferreira, Mancienne, Stoch

Liverpool: Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Skrtel, Aurelio, Kuyt, Alonso, Mascherano, Riera, Gerrard, Torres
Substitutes: Cavalieri, Dossena, Babel, Agger, Benayoun, Ngog, Lucas

Referee: Mike Riley

Our first commenter clearly is not a Liverpool fan -- and thus has my support.

Bishopville: Yes, Keane would be allowed to jump into Harry's arms. Only players who have played for three clubs or more within a 12-month span are not allowed to change clubs.

Chelsea winger Salomon "The Enigma" Kalou has recovered from a minor injury picked up against Middlebrough. Just in time to baffle viewers with his eclectic mix of blown headers, bemusing technical skill and wonderful flashes of brilliance.

Luke let's all of us know what most of us already knew: Liverpool will not win the Premier League.

Let's take a look at the league standings for a moment shall we? Manchester United, with 53 points, have a five-point lead at the top before today's game. The Red Devils also hold a game in hand. Chelsea and Liverpool -- and Aston Villa? -- all are on 48 points, with Chelsea ahead on goal differential.

6 min: Actually, snow isn't falling. It's sleeting. Looks an atrocious afternoon at Anfield.

steven from Big 4 Blog has made his first of what is sure to be many appearances today. I'm ecstatic.

12 min: Liverpool have seen most of the ball thus far. Space has been minimal, but the scum have found some avenues. Chelsea seems a bit flat -- nice pre-match speech from Big Phil no doubt has something to do with that.