Preview : 5 Reasons To Watch Liverpool Vs Chelsea
It’s Match Day 5 and Liverpool are about to hit the road for the 4th time. Three of those visits will have been to London. Jürgen Klopp takes his Reds to Antonio Conte’s unbeaten Chelsea. The Blues will be favorites at home. But Liverpool steps up their game against quality teams. There will be intensity on the pitch and much animosity on the touchlines. After all, it’s Jürgen Klopp and Antonio Conte. So your dose of entertainment is guaranteed one way or the other.
1. Rivalry
The two clubs have churned out some fine matches in recent memory. There have been Champions League clashes, domestic cup finals and hotly contested Premier league fixtures. The rivalry took off when Rafa Benitez and José Mourinho were at the helm. In that infamous series of Champions League semifinals, Liverpool successively dumped out Mourinho’s much fancied Chelsea. And who can forget Luis García’s ghost goal? Trust Jose to remind us till his last breath. The transfer of Fernando Torres to Chelsea only made things worse. Steven Gerrard’s slip and Mourinho’s celebration in halting Liverpool’s title charge in 2013/14 will not be forgotten by the Kop. It was Jürgen Klopp’s 3–1 victory over José Mourinho’s defending champions in the same fixture last year that fast tracked the Portuguese’s dismissal.
2. Liverpool’s Attacking Play
Koppite or not, it’s hard not to admire Liverpool’s electric attack. The intensity, the play, and the effort against Leicester and Arsenal deserved a standing ovation. It was a footballing treat of the highest order. Jürgen Klopp has one of the most lethal attacking lines in England. The Reds have scored more Premier League goals than any other team in 2016. Klopp has urged his team to remain hungry against Chelsea. Liverpool will look to attack. The Blue’s of course will want a win on their home turf. It will be a high intensity match. It’s Klopp high pressing against Conte’s organized unit. Liverpool have the pace and quality to take down the best team in the world.
Chelsea haven’t been solid at the back. John Terry is sidelined with injury. For the first time, Conte will have to shuffle his back line. David Luiz is in line to make his second debut for the club he left in 2014. Liverpool’s attack will look to exploit the Brazilian. Without Terry, Chelsea lacks the usual cohesion. The Red’s should bombard the Chelsea back line. It wouldn’t be as easy as Arsenal or Leicester. Chelsea are more organized. N’Golo Kanté is unlike any player the Liverpool attack has faced so far this season. It wouldn’t be as easy to break down the Senegalese.
3. Klopp‘s Team Selection
Klopp has a delightful headache. The German has a plethora of attacking players to choose from. It’s a manager’s delight. Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane are sure starters. Adam Lallana is on a rich vein of form and leads with an example in Klopp’s pressing system. At the moment, the trio are undroppable. It remains to be seen if Philippe Coutinho gets a look in. The Brazilian is a big match player. After the much written unhappiness of Daniel Sturridge, Klopp started the striker against Leicester as the main striker. The former Chelsea man did not register on the score sheet, but was instrumental. Sturridge had one of his finest games under Klopp. His intelligent movement made way for Firmino’s opening goal and laid on a delicious assist for Sadio Mane. Sturridge was substituted to a standing ovation by the Anfield faithful. It will be really harsh to drop the former Chelsea man. But if Klopp decides to go for Coutinho, then is most likely that Sturridge will start from the bench as Roberto Firmino will lead the attack.
Jordan Henderson has done a decent job from deep midfield. It would be an interesting option to see Klopp employing Coutinho in the middle. It a position the Brazilian occupied well in 2013/14 season. The Brazilian is capable to dicing the Chelsea defense with some delicious through balls. But if Coutinho gets adventurous and rushes forward, it will leave Henderson and the back four exposed against Eden hazard and Co. Save that moment of madness, Lucas performed credibly against Leicester and deserves a look to pair with Henderson. To be fair, Georginio Wijnaldum has not been shoddy. The former Newcastle man already has two assists to his name. Wijnaldum tends to be a liability away from home. Ask any Geordie and he will vouch. The Dutchman has added solidity to Liverpool’s midfield. Wijnaldum deserves to keep his place at Stamford Bridge.
4. The Costa Factor
Diego Costa is a serial offender. Media and opposition fans constantly calls for his head. Costa doesn't do himself any favors. His antics on the pitch are theatrical. Costa draws fouls, riles up the opposition. He is the sort of player that only your fans will adore and the rest will loathe. For Liverpool this was all familiar in Luis Suarez. If I have to single out one player from all the stars at Chelsea, it is Costa. The man is in fine form. Red hot I must say. Joel Matip will have the unpleasant task to mark him. But if Liverpool have to halt the striker, their entire defense must act together and act sensibly. When he stays on pitch, he almost always matches to tick the score sheet. That is a testament of his talent. And it remains, Liverpool biggest threat. Liverpool’s defense is yet to find solidity. Trust Costa to take advantage of it. The Spaniard will have the Liverpool defense and Koppites on the edge. Costa must also be cautious. He has got three yellow card in his four games. He could easily have been sent off in any of them. But Costa’s brand of football is fierce and I don’t see him dropping that. It wouldn't be the worst bet to keep your money on Costa getting booked.
5. Theatrics by the Touchline
Jürgen Klopp is passionate about his football. He is the most livest character on the touchline. I feel the big German in his track suit has become a colossal influence at Liverpool. He screams, shouts and punches the air and thumps his chest in celebration. His range of expressions deserves camera time (The Klopp Cam if you will!). If there is any manager to match Klopp’s passion, it is Antonio Conte. The Italian is just as excited as his counterpart. Conte is a live wire. There will be much focus on these two and commentators will regularly point this out. We have got accustomed to Klopp’s passion. Those in England as just getting introduced to Conte’s. It’s all good for the game. The fourth official will hear a lot of complaints though!
Both Liverpool and Chelsea have much quality in attack. But Liverpool’s defense looks shakier. David Luiz might even things out. For Liverpool, it’s all about remaining calm at the back. And that is usually a tough task for the Reds. Against Diego Costa and Eden Hazard, they will not have a moment to rest. There is much quality on the attack line at both ends of the pitch. So I’m expecting an intense game. There will be goals. Perhaps even an early goal.
Get ready for Friday nights football under lights, Premier League style!
P.S. Expect David Luiz to test his long range shooting skills
