Player Ratings

Chelsea

Petr Cech 7 Two key blocks and would be entitled to ask what happened to his protection for Torres's leveller. Ought to have stopped Babel's goal

Michael Essien 8 Dominant against Benayoun, less so against Kuyt, but won most of his personal duels while providing a constant supply to his forwards

Ricardo Carvalho 6 On constant alert for any danger from Torres but lost him for one crucial second and a seemingly smooth passage to Moscow vanished

John Terry 7 Chelsea's captain was commanding in the air and more at ease than he had appeared at Anfield during the first leg last weekAshley Cole 6 May regret not following Benayoun inside for Liverpool's 64th-minute equalizer. Strong defensively but offered little to the attack

Michael Ballack 7 His range of passing gave Chelsea the edge in midfield and the German was unfortunate not to score with an exquisite free-kick

Claude Makelele 7 Tracked Gerrard wherever he roamed for 45 minutes and gave his fellow midfielders license to create. Passed accuratelyFrank Lampard 8 Eye-catching display from Chelsea's most creative player, all the more so given his recent bereavement. Nerveless with his crucial penalty

Joe Cole 5 Linked up well with Essien on occasions but too often on the periphery of the contest and his final ball left much to be desiredDidier Drogba 8 A handful when Chelsea's supply flowed and took his goals expertly. Had been subdued in the second half of normal timeSalomon Kalou 6 Prospered from Lampard's invention down the left and, after a quiet start, ensured Drogba did not carry the Chelsea threat alone

Liverpool

José Reina 7 Played the sweeper well to deny Drogba in a one-on-one. Could not be faulted for conceding at his near post for the Ivorian's goal

Alvaro Arbeloa 5 Benítez has to address both full-back areas this summer and the Spaniard's slip in the build-up to Drogba's goal illustrated why

Jamie Carragher 7 Given the unenviable task of stifling Drogba after Skrtel went off but rose to the challenge and the occasion after a difficult startMartin Skrtel 6 Began well but paid a heavy price for a fine early challenge on Drogba when he damaged his left knee and was forced to retire

John Arne Riise 6 Given a rousing reception by both sets of fans when his name was announced before kick-off but gave Chelsea no cause to mock here

Xabi Alonso 6 Did well to find any accuracy on his passing given the bog in the centre of the pitch but lacked the penetration of Lampard and Ballack

Javier Mascherano 7 Instrumental in Liverpool's second-half improvement as he exploited the gap between Ballack and Lampard to greater effect. Distributed wellDirk Kuyt 6 Went close to scoring his ninth goal in this campaign but only began to test the Chelsea defence when he swapped wings with Benayoun

Steven Gerrard 7 Searched in vain for room to exploit in the first half but it was a different story in the second. Moved closer to Torres to help turn the tide

Yossi Benayoun 7 A surprise inclusion instead of the more direct Ryan Babel and vindicated Benítez's decision with a superb assist for the equalizer

Fernando Torres 7 Denied by Cech in the opening exchanges and was not seen again until his 31st goal of the season punctured Chelsea's optimism