Fernando Torres and Andy Carroll both failed to earn starts in Chelsea’s Barclays Premier League game against Liverpool today.
In what appeared a remarkable indictment of the two most expensive players ever transferred between British clubs, £85m of talent was left on the bench at Stamford Bridge.
Didier Drogba was handed an immediate recall from suspension and arm surgery for Chelsea, who also drafted in David Luiz, while Liverpool brought back Dirk Kuyt and Craig Bellamy, with Maxi Rodriguez handed his first league start of the season.
Chelsea: Cech, Ivanovic, Luiz, Terry, Cole, Ramires, Mikel, Lampard, Mata, Drogba, Malouda.
Subs: Turnbull, Romeu, Torres, Meireles, Bosingwa, Sturridge, Anelka.
Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Skrtel, Agger, Jose Enrique, Kuyt, Lucas, Adam, Maxi, Bellamy, Suarez.
Subs: Doni, Carroll, Henderson, Downing, Spearing, Carragher, Kelly.
Referee: Martin Atkinson (W Yorkshire)