A Blue up North previews our game against Liverpool.
This Saturday’s teatime kick-off gives a chance for Chelsea and Liverpool to renew their rivalry. Two clubs who are regularly battling in the latter stages for domestic and European honours, go head to head at Anfield while both attempt to keep pace with the runaway Premier League leaders Manchester City.
Both clubs are enjoying decent spells with Liverpool unbeaten in their last five matches including three straight wins in the league, while Chelsea have won their last four league matches, including not conceding a goal since 21 October.
The latter’s run is all the more intriguing as it is closely resembling the sequence of results at this stage of last season that eventually led to Chelsea being crowned Champions. After back to back defeats to Liverpool and Arsenal, Antonio Conte converted to a new 3-4-3 formation, and his side then went on to win their next 13 Premier League matches. It was a run that elevated Chelsea from eighth place to not only top but also six points clear at the summit, a position they did not let slip.
This term, after back to back defeats to Manchester City and Crystal Palace, The Blues are now building a run of victories with the use of a 3-5-2 formation as Conte evolves the team’s shape.
But it is not only the recent score lines but the performances that will be building confidence levels. The likes of Fabregas, Hazard and Morata are thriving, but it is the greater solidity in defence that is laying the foundations for the impressiveness of their wins.
Free-scoring Liverpool have looked impressive going forward, but it’s their defensive shortcomings that concerns their supporters. They have been humiliated 5-0 at Manchester City and 4-1 at Tottenham so far, this term, but it was their second-half capitulation at Sevilla that would be most worrying going into this match. Looking very comfortable at 3-0 up after just half an hour, The Reds only just hung on to register a 3-3 draw. The physical and mental efforts required under the onslaught from the Spaniards would have been very draining, and psychologically the Liverpool players will be very wary even if they gain a lead against The Blues.
As highlighted by Conte, a long round trip to Azerbaijan followed by a quick turnaround for this match is not the ideal preparation for Chelsea either. However, the manager was able to rest four likely starters for this game and, due to their commanding scoreline, he could then substitute off three more, so his side should be less physically scarred.
Both matchday squads are welcoming back absentees as Matip and Lallana return for the home side and Moses is expected to be named as a substitute for the visitors increasing the options open to both managers.
All this points to a very intriguing and absorbing match up. Control in central midfield will be crucial with both sides deploying three central players and then ultimately this will lead to which front line will have the greater number of opportunities. We can all expect a close hard fought match which could ebb and flow. It will not be for the faint-hearted.
Written by Jon Ellis – A Blue up North
