With the 20/21 Premier League season now well and truly underway, teams that hope to position themselves towards the top of the table are in the hunt for consistency. The likes of Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea all picked up wins on the opening weekend, while Manchester United and Manchester City were forced to wait until the second gameweek to try their luck. With three points on the board for both Chelsea and Liverpool, the two English giants are now set to face off in what promises to be a blockbuster this Sunday evening.
The Blues kicked off their league campaign against Brighton and Hove Albion at the Amex Stadium. Despite not producing the most exciting football on the night, Frank Lampard’s side were able to come away with the three points quite easily. Liverpool, on the other hand, had it much harder against newly-promoted Leeds United, who gave the league champions a proper run for their money. Klopp’s men were able to see out a win, despite the Elland Road club coming back on three separate occasions in the tie.
How Did Chelsea Fare Against Brighton?
The London club started the fixture with an unforeseen 4-2-2-2 formation, which had the versatile presences of Mason Mount and Kai Havertz deployed in the wide areas. Timo Werner made his debut for the club as well, and it was his run into the box that led to the penalty that Jorginho put away in the first half. Reece James scored an absolute rocket for Chelsea’s second of the evening before a deflected volley from Kurt Zouma added a third as well. The likes of Ben Chilwell, Hakim Ziyech, Thiago Silva and Christian Pulisic all remain injured and will be unavailable for the Liverpool match.
Here Are Three Things Lampard Must Ensure To Win Against Liverpool:
Three Things Lampard Must Ensure To Win Against Liverpool
Bring Mateo Kovacic Back Into The Starting Eleven
The midfielder missed the opening game of the weekend due to suspension, after he got sent off for two yellow cards in last season’s FA Cup final. Not only does the former Real Madrid man add some dynamism to the midfield, but his ability on the ball is second to none as well. Capable of driving past challenges and making things happen in the final third, the Croatian international’s dribbling skills will be of use to Chelsea when trying to deal with the combative nature of the Liverpool players.
Start Giroud Up Front With Werner
Ruben Loftus-Cheek was the man deployed alongside Werner as part of the front-two last weekend. Despite some good moments, the Englishman struggled to have any sort of impact on the tie. Bringing in Olivier Giroud in his stead would open up a world of possibilities for Lampard. The Frenchman is renowned for his ability to hold the ball up, and that’s exactly what Loftus-Cheek failed to do in the game against Brighton. Werner has played some of his best football when operating alongside a target man, and Olivier Giroud is arguably the most effective one in the entire division.
Start Marcos Alonso On The Left
If the Reds’ opening weekend win against Leeds United is anything to go by, then Marcos Alonso could give Trent Alexander-Arnold a tough time down that flank. The English youngster was quite poor in that tie, as he was surpassed continuously by the Leeds attackers. A similar sort of performance against the dangerous attacking presence of Alonso could be the key to Chelsea picking up all three points on the night. The Spaniard’s ability to deliver crosses from wide needn’t be questioned, while the sheer effect of his attacking contributions cannot be underplayed either.
