Three out of the past five seasons, Chelsea and Liverpool were drawn against each other in the Champions League semi-finals. The usual suspects meet again, with the only difference being that this time the clash will come in the quarterfinals instead of the semis.

In the last five years, Chelsea and Liverpool have developed something of a local rivalry in spite of the distance between them, born out of their frequent meetings. By the time this tie is over, the two would have played each other 24 times in five seasons.

Liverpool dispatched Chelsea twice in the Champions League - in 2004/05 and in 2006-07. Luis Garcia scored a much-debated goal the first time around, which Jose Mourinho, then Chelsea manager, claimed never crossed the goal line.

Two years later, the club exchanged 1-0 home wins and Liverpool prevailed 4-1 in the penalty shootout at Anfield. Third time proved lucky last season for the Londoners, who advanced after winning 4-3 on aggregate.

Asked about his feelings on the clash, Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez said: "No, I am not tired [of playing Chelsea]. I am pleased because it means we are playing against a good team at this stage of the competition, which is good for us and them.

"My idea is maybe we can do it again for the next five years because it will mean we are playing at this level, which will be positive.

"It's not easy to surprise them. The players know each other really well and Guus Hiddink will have a lot of information, so I don’t anticipate a big difference in these games to the others."

Like last time around, Liverpool will play the first leg at home and will be without Javier Mascherano, who is suspended. Captain Steven Gerrard and Sami Hyypia will be in the team, but Yossi Benayoun is a doubt after collecting a knock against Fulham in the Premier League, when he came off the bench to score the winner.

Chelsea have similar fitness problems with striker Didier Drogba, who is racing against time to be fit for the encounter at Anfield, missing Chelsea's 2-0 victory against Newcastle at the weekend. Drogba has been nurturing an ankle injury and has reportedly resumed training, but it is unclear on his final match fitness. The fact that he is included in the travelling party to Anfield would suggest that if not in the starting 11, he is still likely to participate at a later stage in the match.