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But they have shown a marked reluctance to declare themselves the best team in Europe.
Until, that is, buoyed by victory against Manchester United, last Sunday, Michael Ballack said: 'We look better than the other teams in the Champions League now.''
German arrogance or understandable confidence?
Chelsea did not look better than Liverpool last week, but their away goal - courtesy of John Arne Riise - gives them the upper hand.
Nor do descriptions abound of Liverpool as the continent's best team.
It is more understandable that the Reds, 11 points off the Premier League summit, should refrain from statements that would open themselves to allegations of delusion.
Instead, they have taken pride in their ability to overcome anyone in Europe.
Their victims in the last four seasons include AC Milan, Internazionale, Juventus, Barcelona and, twice, Chelsea but tonight's game represents the stiffest test of all.
Chelsea's home record is formidable and, while the Stamford Bridge crowd can be as hostile to their own manager as to opponents, it is a fortress nonetheless.
But Rafael Benitez's team have had their rest.
A glorified reserve side drew at Birmingham and eight changes - with only Riise, Martin Skrtel and Jose Reina remaining - are anticipated.
Those who impressed for the second string, such as Peter Crouch and Jermaine Pennant, will have to be content with roles on the bench.
While Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres are arguably Liverpool's best strike partnership since Ian Rush and Kenny Dalglish over two decades ago, Benitez appears more concerned with his opponents than his own side.
Well though Jamie Carragher handled Didier Drogba in the first leg, the Spaniard has assembled a compilation tape of the Chelsea striker focusing on what he believes are the Ivorian's histrionics.
Benitez may get some bonus footage tonight as Drogba's participation is assured. Others are up for debate.
Once again, it is decision time for Avram Grant. His European specialist, Claude Makelele, can return after playing only three minutes on Saturday.
So far, so easy. But, with Frank Lampard back in training, the temptation will be to give the midfielder an emotional comeback following the death of his mother last week.
Except that Ballack's brilliance on Saturday, much his best Chelsea performance, came as an attacking midfielder.
In other words, he excelled in Lampard's role.
Michael Essien, another to prosper against Manchester United, is surely a must, but four into three will not go without a change of system or switching the Ghanaian to right-back.
He finished Saturday's game there and it paid off for Grant.
So, too, did the introductions of Nicolas Anelka and Andriy Shevchenko, which serve as a reminder that Chelsea's bench will be stronger than Liverpool's.
Given how tight previous meetings have been, that could be a factor. So, too, could penalties.
But a clean sheet would take them to Russia, so Chelsea are favourites, and that would make for a remarkable end to the season for the man branded Avram Grump, Avram Grunt and the Average One.
Even in victory on Saturday, he was described as having 'the personality of a stale jelly bean''.
As his biggest trophy to date is the Israeli league, Grant could become the least likely winner the Champions League has ever had.
His team, who have received few plaudits for anything other than their dogged refusal to exit either the Champions League or the Premier League title race, may be little more popular, but they have proved increasingly effective.
Their siege mentality is starting to yield results to suggest that that they could conquer Europe.
As Ballack said: 'Everything is possible.''
And now Chelsea believe that.
Chelsea v Liverpool
Live, Ch23, tomorrow, 2.30am
