Final season, Liverpool gained two, drew six and misplaced two of their video games in opposition to the normal ‘huge six’, whereas this marketing campaign, they’ve already equalled that tally of two victories within the Premier League.
Liverpool entered the worldwide break high of the league, profitable six of their first seven Premier League video games, however Arne Slot insisted that the match in opposition to Chelsea could be their first actual problem.
It marked the start of a troublesome run of fixtures together with video games in opposition to RB Leipzig, Arsenal and Aston Villa – groups that can check Liverpool on the highest stage.
The Reds emerged with a 2-1 win in opposition to Chelsea, however how did they rise to fulfill the tactical problem and what may it inform us in regards to the subsequent few video games?
To date this season, Liverpool have sometimes dominated possession with most groups prioritising defence in opposition to them. Chelsea underneath Enzo Maresca, although, got here into the sport because the Premier League‘s fourth-placed workforce and high scorers.
They backed themselves to trigger Liverpool issues with an attacking, optimistic strategy.
Malo Gusto began at left again rather than the suspended Marc Cucurella however was nonetheless requested to invert into midfield. This was dangerous because it left Liverpool’s forwards one-on-one with the again three, however in midfield Chelsea had a four-on-three numerical benefit.
Partnering Moises Caicedo with Romeo Lavia additionally gave Chelsea a technically excellent double pivot that would repeatedly evade stress and win their one-on-ones if the free participant wasn’t obtainable.
In consequence, the guests may simply progress by way of central areas, breaking Liverpool’s press and forcing them right into a compact defensive block. As soon as Liverpool have been pinned again, Chelsea may run their most well-liked attacking patterns.
On the left, Gusto often ran ahead past Jadon Sancho, forcing Ryan Gravenberch to trace him into the final line. This not solely stored Gravenberch from influencing the sport in midfield, it additionally left Trent Alexander-Arnold one-on-one with Sancho out vast.
Neutralising Chelsea’s risk
Nonetheless, this didn’t appear fully in opposition to Liverpool’s plan for the sport.
Chelsea have been the league’s high scorers heading into this one, with their high quality in transition serving to them put 4 previous Brighton and 6 past Wolves earlier this season.
Liverpool clearly got down to keep away from quick breaks and deny Chelsea clear sights of objective.
There was a particular concentrate on suppressing Cole Palmer, the league’s most prolific objective risk behind Erling Haaland final season. Understanding Palmer likes to float into the fitting half-space, Cody Gakpo was tasked with monitoring again to assist Andy Robertson at left-back.
This marked a distinction to how Liverpool used their left winger of their final huge match, when Luis Diaz stayed excessive to use Man United’s attacking full-backs.
It restricted Chelsea’s means to overload Robertson, forcing them to concentrate on the other flank the place Alexander-Arnold defended beautifully.
Maresca even subbed on Pedro Neto at half time to go much more aggressive on the Liverpool proper again, however the former Wolves man couldn’t make the distinction.
Liverpool’s conservative strategy prolonged to their in-possession work, too.
Each Gravenberch and Curtis Jones have been often seen transferring vast to obtain the ball throughout buildup, closing off the direct ball to the wingers and forcing Liverpool to construct up extra slowly.
In consequence, the workforce may keep compact and be set to defend any turnovers.
At instances, nonetheless, this solely served to empty the midfield and additional compound Chelsea’s midfield dominance.
Discovering an answer
Liverpool ultimately discovered the weak spot in Chelsea’s strategy – the three-on-three state of affairs on the again. Early indicators of this got here when a misplaced Chelsea move allowed Diogo Jota to win possession, although the chance wasn’t absolutely capitalised on.
As tensions rose attributable to some poor selections by referee John Brooks, the Anfield crowd cranked up the quantity.
Liverpool responded by taking part in extra immediately, isolating Mohamed Salah in opposition to Levi Colwill. With Salah capable of maintain the ball up, his teammates may transfer ahead and provides him choices within the last third.
Breaking the sport down
Moments after a no-penalty name, Ibrahima Konate performed direct underneath stress…
…Liverpool broke ahead, Salah’s shot is deflected…
…and Jones is fouled contesting the free ball.
Within the second half, Virgil Van Dijk performed one other of his direct passes by way of the centre…
…which reaches Salah in area.
He crossed into the field the place Jones’ run isn’t tracked…
…and he finishes to win the sport.
As soon as Liverpool took the lead, Chelsea made a number of adjustments however did not discover a method again into the sport.
Regardless of Chelsea‘s early dominance and late push for an equaliser, they hardly ever threatened Caoimhin Kelleher past their single objective. Liverpool’s deep defence held sturdy, with standout performances from Alexander-Arnold, Konate and Van Dijk.
Security first strategy
Earlier than the season, a lot was made from Liverpool’s tactical shift underneath Slot, with elevated concentrate on tactical intricacy.
But when Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool was about trusting people – counting on the centre-backs to carry the final line alone, trusting Alisson to make essential saves – Slot’s workforce is simply the opposite facet of that coin.
They stifled Chelsea’s assaults first and with the small variety of possibilities they created themselves, the person high quality of Salah turned these possibilities into objectives.
It’s nonetheless a recreation of tremendous margins on the high, however Liverpool confirmed on Sunday that they wish to construct from a defensively strong base within the greatest video games.
Time will inform if it proves profitable.
