Liverpool 0, Chelsea 2

Liverpool 0, Chelsea 2

I didn't want to read the post-game report; it is immaterial to me what happened during the game, who scored, when they scored, how many saves the goalkeepers made or decided to make, or when the losers threw in the towel. According to Barclaycard Premiership Table, Chelsea sat a point above Manchester United in the race for first place before this match. Chelsea would play at Liverpool's "Anfield Road" stadium, which is the home of Manchester United's longest standing rival, Liverpool F.C. If Liverpool wins, then Manchester United would move to first place thanks to their victory in their league match over Sunderland, and the Chelsea loss. If Liverpool lost, Chelsea would remain in first place and the result of the Man United-Sunderland match would be immaterial because the Blues would be in control of their destiny.

Liverpool 0, Chelsea 2

Perhaps the worst thing anyone can say is that an opponent "gave up", "quit", or pulled a "Liston" on purpose. For the sake of what is right, for the sake of the game, you must win. Liverpool's season went down the tubes long before: Ousted from the Champions League, denied at home to Atletico Madrid in the Europa League Semi-Final, bounced from League title contention after many early defeats, bounced from both domestic cup competitions. However, when Liverpool saddled up against Manchester United, the Reds ALWAYS came to play and play hard.

Liverpool 0, Chelsea 2

I did not read the post-game report or see the highlights, yet what if Liverpool played their best against Chelsea? What if they gave 110% and were outdone by Chelsea? In a sport beset by betting scandals, rigged matches, crooked referees, and monitored by an ivory tower establishment willing to turn a blind eye and worship the "beautiful game" as it once was, who would notice? Who would care?

Liverpool 0, Chelsea 2

I did not watch the game because I knew how it would end. Somewhere in the history of sport pride, spite, money, fear, health, something else or a combination of all those got in the way of defining what sport is about. Sport became another form of entertainment to be watched or ignored on our television screens. There is no such thing as sport, because no one knows or remembers what sport really is. In the end, Liverpool still hates Manchester United, Chelsea hold their fate in their hands, Manchester United will finish in second, and all anyone will remember about this season is one thing:

Liverpool 0, Chelsea 2