London, April 24:

Chelsea is juggling three trophy bids. Liverpool is focused on just one. And the Reds do not even have to fall back on 2005 to remember how to beat Chelsea.

The two meet at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday in the first leg of the Champions League semi-finals. It’s a repeat of the 2005 season, when Liverpool eliminated Chelsea in the final four and went on to win its fifth European Cup. Chelsea is still looking for its first. “We knocked them out in the semi-finals in 2005, so there’s no reason why we can’t do it again,” Liverpool defender Steve Finnan said. “It’s our only chance of silverware this season and the lads are buzzing.” Particularly when Liverpool can concentrate fully on Europe.

Chelsea, meanwhile, is seeking an unprecedented four titles. It’s already secured the League Cup and is locked in a tight Premier League title fight with Manchester United, which it also meets in the FA Cup final on May 19.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho finally got public backing from the club’s board this week after months of speculation about his future. Mourinho had fallen out with Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich but relations have thawed in recent weeks.

For Wednesday, Chelsea could be without defender Ricardo Carvalho, who missed the Newcastle game with injury. Michael Essien, who has often been drafted from midfield into defense, is suspended. Midfielder Michael Ballack was also hurt against Newcastle.

Liverpool won the last time the two met in January, beating Chelsea 2-0 at Anfield in the Premier League. Chelsea defeated Liverpool 1-0 in September, also in the league, while Liverpool beat Chelsea 2-1 in the preseason Charity Shield in August.

Last season, the clubs met five times, including two scoreless draws in the group stage of the Champions League. Chelsea won both league games on the way to its second consecutive Premier League trophy, but Liverpool eliminated Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-finals on its way to that title.

In the 2005 Champions League semi-finals, the two played to a scoreless draw at Stamford Bridge and the tie was decided by Luis Garcia’s disputed goal at Anfield, which Mourinho still refuses to acknowledge.

“The history the two clubs will create in the next two meetings is more important than what happened in the past,” Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez said. “I don’t think there will be many goals. Chelsea have a very good defense and concede fewer goals now than we do. I think it will be a tight game, though.”