Champions League: Liverpool up next for Grant's Chelsea

Grant has the chance to do what Mourinho never could - beat Liverpool in the semifinals.

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
grant 88 (photo credit: )
grant 88
(photo credit: )
Avram Grant has the chance to do what his predecessor Jose Mourinho never could - beat Liverpool in the semifinals of the European Champions League. Grant, who replaced Mourinho in September, guided his side to a 2-0 victory over Fenerbahce in an often scrappy match at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday to advance from the quarterfinals 3-2 on aggregate. Michael Ballack headed in a free kick from Frank Lampard to put Chelsea ahead in the fourth minute, and Lampard added one of his own in the 87th. "We've been there. We know everything about them and they know everything about us," Lampard said. Mourinho was in charge when Chelsea lost both times to Liverpool, and Grant hopes luck will come on the third try. "I always want to know what is the future," Grant said with a smile. "We want to be in the final." Chelsea has never won the European Cup. Liverpool has won it five times, the last in 2005. The result extended Chelsea's home unbeaten streak in Europe to 11, a run dating back 26 months. "It was hard. Credit to Fenerbahce, they made it very difficult for us and had some chances," Lampard said. Reflected Grant on the result of the matches: "I think it's deserved, to be honest. Over the course of the two games we deserve to be through. "We didn't play as well tonight as we can, but this competition is about getting results."