Liverpool vs Chelsea at Stamford Bridge
Liverpool edged past Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Friday night. The Reds produced some scintillating football to make it seven points from nine in London. Jürgen Klopp has reason to be ecstatic at his side’s away performances in the capital so far.
Team News
Klopp had two major changes from the side that beat Leicester City. Dejan Lovren was recalled to the heart of the defense and the injured Roberto Firmino made way for Philippe Coutinho. Chelsea lost the veteran John Terry to injury and the re-signed David Luiz came into the starting line up.
First Half
The Reds were probing from the opening kick. Nice passing and penetration up front forced Chelsea to concede territory as they dropped deeper. A cross off a set piece caused problems as the Blues defenders lost Dejan Lovren. The Croatian skillfully kept his measured shot down and beat Thibaut Courtois. Stamford Bridge then witnessed an early goal of the season contender. Jordan Henderson found the ball sitting nicely in space about 25 yards from goal. The England international struck a beautiful curler into the top corner. Henderson wheeled away in delight and soaked up the Reds’ fans celebrations.
Second Half
Chelsea started the second half with some sustained possession. Liverpool looked happy to manage the game and surrendered the initiative. Daniel Sturridge was withdrawn and replaced with the hard-running Divock Origi. Chelsea pressured hard and the home crowd responded with increased atmosphere. Nemanja Matić was then released on a late run into the Liverpool penalty area, and he squared intelligently for Diego Costa to side foot home. Chelsea now had the momentum and Liverpool reshuffled by pushing Sadio Mané up to support Origi. The game settled into a pattern with Chelsea pressing and Liverpool eager to counter attack. Origi was denied by a brilliant Courtois save after the Belgian striker placed a powerful header on the Chelsea goal.
Players In, Players Out
Klopp replaced Coutinho with the defensive Lucas Leiva. Antonio Conte decided on attacking changes with, Cesc Fàbregas, Pedro and Victor Moses entering the fray. Lucas fouled the galloping Eden Hazard late on and the resulting free kick presented a great opportunity to draw level. Fàbregas smashed the free kick into the well drilled Liverpool wall, and Reds fans exhaled. Liverpool introduced Kevin Stewart late on to bolster the rearguard. Resolute defending in the final minutes vitally won the Merseyside team all three points. John .W. Henry summed up Liverpool’s evenings work with a simple tweet of “Huge!”.
Liverpool are most definitely on a roll in the Premier League. Based on current form, they look like genuine top four contenders.
Liverpool Takeaways
- Defending: Liverpool’s swashbuckling attacking play has been well received by Premier League analysts so far this year. The big questions surround their ability to defend. Chelsea pressed for most of the second half and consequently Liverpool retreated. Solid defensive work secured a vital three points towards the Reds challenge for the top four places.
- Klopp is decisive. Liverpool were under pressure immediately in the second half. The Reds coach decided to replace Sturridge with the pressing game of Divock Origi. Sturridge went straight down the tunnel. Klopp, it seems, pays little heed to big names. He acts when the team needs a different formation.
- Geggenpressing. Liverpool’s midfield put in an immense amount of running. Chelsea players barely had a controlling touch due to Reds players closing them down. Jordan Henderson’s wonder strike deserves all accolades. Georginio Wijnaldum, however, also had a very impressive game. The Dutch international always made himself available as an out ball and he defended valiantly in the closing stages.
