Final season, Liverpool received two, drew six and misplaced two of their video games in opposition to the normal ‘large 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 can 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 may check Liverpool on the highest degree.
The Reds emerged with a 2-1 win in opposition to Chelsea, however how did they rise to fulfill the tactical problem and what would possibly it inform us in regards to the subsequent few video games?
To this point 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 staff and high scorers.
They backed themselves to trigger Liverpool issues with an attacking, optimistic method.
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 strain and win their one-on-ones if the free participant wasn’t out there.
Because of this, the guests might simply progress by central areas, breaking Liverpool’s press and forcing them right into a compact defensive block. As soon as Liverpool have been pinned again, Chelsea might run their most well-liked attacking patterns.
On the left, Gusto incessantly ran ahead past Jadon Sancho, forcing Ryan Gravenberch to trace him into the final line. This not solely saved Gravenberch from influencing the sport in midfield, it additionally left Trent Alexander-Arnold one-on-one with Sancho out broad.
Neutralising Chelsea’s menace
Nevertheless, this didn’t appear totally 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 purpose.
There was a particular concentrate on suppressing Cole Palmer, the league’s most prolific purpose menace behind Erling Haaland final season. Realizing Palmer likes to float into the fitting half-space, Cody Gakpo was tasked with monitoring again to help Andy Robertson at left-back.
This marked a distinction to how Liverpool used their left winger of their final large match, when Luis Diaz stayed excessive to use Man United’s attacking full-backs.
It restricted Chelsea’s capability 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 method prolonged to their in-possession work, too.
Each Gravenberch and Curtis Jones have been incessantly seen transferring broad to obtain the ball throughout buildup, closing off the direct ball to the wingers and forcing Liverpool to construct up extra slowly.
Because of this, the staff might keep compact and be set to defend any turnovers.
At occasions, nonetheless, this solely served to empty the midfield and additional compound Chelsea’s midfield dominance.
Discovering an answer
Liverpool ultimately discovered the weak point in Chelsea’s method – the three-on-three scenario on the again. Early indicators of this got here when a misplaced Chelsea go allowed Diogo Jota to win possession, although the chance wasn’t absolutely capitalised on.
As tensions rose attributable to some poor choices by referee John Brooks, the Anfield crowd cranked up the amount.
Liverpool responded by taking part in extra straight, isolating Mohamed Salah in opposition to Levi Colwill. With Salah capable of maintain the ball up, his teammates might transfer ahead and provides him choices within the ultimate third.
Breaking the sport down
Moments after a no-penalty name, Ibrahima Konate performed direct underneath strain…
…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 the centre…
…which reaches Salah in house.
He crossed into the field the place Jones’ run just isn’t tracked…
…and he finishes to win the sport.
As soon as Liverpool took the lead, Chelsea made a number of modifications however didn’t discover a approach 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 purpose. Liverpool’s deep defence held robust, with standout performances from Alexander-Arnold, Konate and Van Dijk.
Security first method
Earlier than the season, a lot was manufactured 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 staff is simply the opposite facet of that coin.
They stifled Chelsea’s assaults first and with the small variety of probabilities they created themselves, the person high quality of Salah turned these probabilities into targets.
It’s nonetheless a sport of high-quality margins on the high, however Liverpool confirmed on Sunday that they need to construct from a defensively stable base within the greatest video games.
Time will inform if it proves profitable.
