Half-time: Liverpool 0-1 Chelsea

Liverpool trail Chelsea 1-0 at the break but have been the better side in an exciting opening half.

The Reds went close to taking a sensational lead as early as the second minute. Emile Heskey played the ball back to Danny Murphy and his low shot had to be tipped wide of the goal by Carlo Cudicini.

The early pace was fast and furious but it was Liverpool who settled quicker. On 23 minutes Kewell flashed a dangerous shot across goal and Owen ensured Cudicini was kept busy with an angled drive the keeper did well to push around the post.

But it was the visitors who drew first blood against the run of play. Jesper Gronjaer crossed from the right, Sami Hyypia unfortunately lost his footing inside the area and Juan Sebastian Veron was on hand to hammer the ball past Jerzy Dudek.

Things could have got worse for Liverpool soon after when Chelsea sprung the offside trap and Eidur Gudjohnsen went sprinting clean through on goal. Fortunately, Dudek stood his ground and got his body in the way to make a vital save.

Stay tuned to Liverpoolfc.tv for a full match report straight after the final whistle.