VCBet - Reds narrow for Champions League joy

Bookmakers VC Bet have shortened Liverpool for Champions League glory from 6/1 to 9/2 after Rafael Benitez's side eked out a first leg semi-final stalemate at Stamford Bridge.

Home side Chelsea went into the tie as 6/4 outright chances but now find themselves pushed out to 9/5 to win the competition after the 0-0 draw.

"There's no doubt about which manager will be the most satisfied now," said VC Bet's Nick Blezard.

"Jose Mourinho has said that he's happy with the draw but I don't see how he can be after Frank Lampard missed a chance that my grandma would have tucked away.

"That said, we still think Chelsea will be able to grab a vital away goal at Anfield and make it through to the final."

If Chelsea don't progress to the final Mourinho may well look back at midfielder Frank Lampard's failure to score what looked like a routine volley from eight yards after 21 minutes.

And Mourinho may also be forced to rue the miss later in the first half when striker Didier Drogba shot across the face of Jerzy Dudek's goal from 10 yards.

Liverpool had chances of their own, most notably when Chelsea keeper Petr Cech made an outstanding save from a goalbound Milan Baros header.

The Anfield second leg takes place on Tuesday, May 4.

Liverpool are now 5/4 to qualify for the Istanbul final on May 25 with Chelsea 4/7.

AC Milan, who hold a 2-0 first leg lead over PSV are the Champions League favourites at 4/5. The Dutch side are 33/1.

Champions League outrights:

AC Milan 4/5
Chelsea 9/5
Liverpool 9/2
PSV 33/1