Premier League high-flyers Chelsea secured progress into the quarterfinals stage of this season’s edition of the FA Cup after successfully overcoming the difficult challenge of a visit by Jurgen Klopp’s dominant Liverpool side. The Blues entered the tie as massive underdogs but started the fixture by displaying a lot of confidence and composure in the midfield area.
The Reds were put under a lot of pressure within the early stages of the tie, and Adrian came up with an absolutely stunning stop to deny Willian the opener. Ironically though, the actual Chelsea opener came in the very next minute of the match. A loose pass from one of the Liverpool defenders gifted the ball to Willian, and the Brazilian used all his experience and instincts to launch a powerful drive that caught Adrian off guard.
A goal to the good and playing against the European champions, Frank Lampard probably knew throughout that the one-goal lead wouldn’t be enough. The second Chelsea strike came a while into the second half. Despite some good pressure from the Reds, a sudden Chelsea counter saw Ross Barkley picking up the ball just outside the centre circle and in his own half. The Liverpudlian drove the ball forward at a retreating Reds back-line, before launching a venomous shot that Adrian didn’t even have a hope of saving. The Blues eventually saw out the win with some proper game management and ensured that Jurgen Klopp’s current situation didn’t get any easier.
Here Are The Three Main Takeaways From The Chelsea Win:
Billy Gilmour Is Ready
The 18-year-old Scottish midfielder was undoubtedly the best player on the pitch throughout the ninety. He was often seen toying with some of the Liverpool midfielders and barely put a foot wrong all through the first half of the tie. Calm under pressure and confident enough to call for the ball despite being in a tight situation, the youngster showcased what is yet to come at Stamford Bridge in the coming seasons.
Mateo Kovacic Is Chelsea’s Best Midfielder
The Croatian was forced to come off with an unfortunate Achilles injury in the first half of the fixture. Still, within the opening half-hour of the tie, Kovacic displayed his overall quality on numerous occasions. Although he’s spent time at clubs like Real Madrid and Inter Milan, the Croatian has never been classed as a dribbler, but instead as a midfield passer. Having added going past players to his arsenal as well now, the World Cup runner-up continues to develop into one of the most influential midfielders in the entire league.
The Need For A New Striker Has Never Been This High At Chelsea
Olivier Giroud had a couple of moments of quality against the Reds in midweek but didn’t do his starting position justice. Looked weak while challenging for the ball against the likes of Van Dijk and Gomez, and was seen hitting the floor after every aerial fifty-fifty. Abraham is still young and needs time to develop, while Michy Batshuayi has proven over the last couple of months that his career in London is assured to be short-lived. Considering the level at which Chelsea are aspiring, their biggest priority for the summer must be a new central striker.
