Antonio Conte’s Chelsea are in devastating form in the league at the moment and look solid to do the League and Cup double this season. Liverpool, on the other hand, are possibly on their worst run this season with regards to form and performances. Going out of two domestic competitions in the same week and then losing pace in the race for the league title by going down at home to bottom placed Swansea has rung in the alarm bells. Despite the recent crisis, there could be a few possible positives in the end. Liverpool now play 15 games in the league until the end of May, in an otherwise busy and horrid January 2017 which saw them play 10 games in 28 days.
With the league the sole focus now let us look at how Klopp can outwit his rival in Antonio Conte. In what is a must-win game for the Reds to have any hopes of keeping pace with the pace setters in the top four.
Change in player positions in a 4-3-3
The Gaffer favours a 4-3-3 formation which brought out the best in the team, a philosophy called “Geggenpressing”. Considering their current slump one can’t see too many changes, but would love Klopp to be a bit bold here and play James Milner in more defensive minded midfield along with Jordan Henderson and Georginio Wijnaldum.
Klopp could consider playing a back four of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joel Matip, Dejan Lovren and Ragnar Klavan, with the Estonian defender at left back in place of Milner. The trio of Milner, Henderson and Wijnaldum offer enough work rate and quality in midfield to choke out the gameplay that could be orchestrated in the Chelsea midfield by none other than Cesc Fabregas while N’Golo Kanté giving the Spaniard the legs in midfield, unless Conte starts Kanté and Matic initially allowing Cesc Fabregas to come off the bench to make an impact.
The good news for every Liverpool fans is that Sadio Mane could make the bench and if all goes well, he could even play his part. The Reds have missed the prolific forward who has been crucial and his absence was felt for a long painful month by the Reds faithful. If Adam Lallana does make the game we could see the front three of Coutinho, Firmino and Lallana. Liverpool now have a near full strength squad with only Nathaniel Clyne being a doubt, meaning Klopp now has strong options on the bench.
Key Battles
Klopp will have to get his tactics spot on. One cannot afford any more goof ups with regards to team selection. Diego Costa, Eden Hazard and off late Pedro Rodriguez have formed a mouth-watering attacking front three partnership. Add Willian to that list and it’s too good to resist.
Dejan Lovren vs Diego Costa: This could be a daunting task for the Croatian considering he will be up against not only the most in-form striker in the league but an absolute menace to play against. Costa now offers a big physical presence up front along with his clinical finishing and one can’t ignore his antics. Lovren could face a long night and the Liverpool back four will have to work in unison if Chelsea’s attacks have to be kept in check.
Possible outcome: The form that Costa has been in and the stark reality to the woes that Liverpool’s backline has faced in recent times, it’s only fair to say this one will be no different. Just that Lovren and Matip will have to play their part to keep Diego Costa at bay. Expect the Chelsea forward to score.
Eden Hazard vs Trent Alexander-Arnold: This is one area Liverpool fans could be in for a nervous 90 minutes considering Trent Alexander-Arnold could either face the likes of Eden Hazard or Pedro Rodriguez. The local boy from Liverpool is only 18 years old when he made his debut against Manchester United and put in an impressive display keeping the likes of Martial at bay in some parts of the game. Klopp will have to play his cards wisely and the fans will hope that Klopp plays Milner in midfield is because he offers a bit of experience with regards to covering up for the players. Milner has been brilliant this season at left back but gambling right in such a game could pay off.
Possible Outcome: Hazard or Pedro, who over plays on the left, will give the youngster a tough time. He was outrun and exposed by Southampton’s Nathan Redmond in the EFL Cup Semi Finals and that will only make the Liverpool fans watch the game with their hearts in their mouth.
Roberto Firmino vs David Luiz: Possibly Chelsea’s only weak link is the Brazilian David Luiz and this could be an interesting battle as Roberto Firmino knows his colleague well as they ply their trade for the national team. David Luiz has been brilliant since Chelsea’s loss to Arsenal and has barely put a foot wrong. Firmino instead has offered great work-rate and scored a brace the last time against Swansea. Liverpool will need his work-rate and goals to trouble the Chelsea back line which is so hard to break down.
Possible Outcome: Firmino will give David Luiz a tough time, but considering how strong Chelsea have been defensively, the Reds no 11 will have to raise his game if Liverpool are to get something from this game.
Philippe Coutinho vs Victor Moses: This will be a surprising battle if it does happen unless Moses isn’t played as a right wing back. The Nigerian spent a season at Anfield in their title-chasing campaign and is now back at the Bridge and has been one of their most important players this season.
Coutinho, on the other hand, who recently came back after a 7-week injury layoff has his task cut out against Moses who has been a revelation in the wing back role and Liverpool’s talisman could be the key if they are to get the result in their favour.
Possible Outcome: Coutinho could have a very good game and could give Moses and Azpilicueta a tough time with his dribbling abilities and his vision, but the Chelsea duo won’t make life easy for Coutinho. We could see some shots from distance from the Little Magician too given he excels in those.
Georginio Wijnaldum vs N’Golo Kanté: This will be an intense midfield battle between two powerhouses. Kante’s impact in this Chelsea team has been one big reason why Nemanja Matic is now playing second fiddle to the Frenchman and for good reasons. The midfield enforcer has practically given the Chelsea front four the room to play to their strengths. Wijnaldum who will have to not only contain his runs but also offer some creative element to his game.
Possible Outcome: Kanté might not have it all his way if Wijnaldum has a brilliant game, but most often, one would presume the Frenchman to come out on top between the two.
Potential Line-ups
Potential Liverpool 11 Which Should be tried.
LFC Subs: Karius, Moreno, Can, Sturridge, Mane, Origi, Lucas, Gomez.
Chelsea Subs: Begovic, Alonso, Matic, Zouma, Pedro, Batshuayi
Major Points where Klopp could ensure Liverpool can get the job done
- Liverpool need to pass the ball a lot quicker in tight spaces than keep hold of the ball and delay the final third passing. The Liverpool front three will have to play a lot closer to each other with the flow of the game to go through Henderson Coutinho and Firmino.
- Target David Luiz. Chelsea playing a back three could actually help Liverpool’s cause. Cahill and Luiz can be suspect at the back and could possibly be the weaker link. Klopp sees as an opportunity to press them from the front.
- The importance of pressing the likes of Fabregas and Hazard. Both are World Class players and at times even the best defenders could fall short defending against the likes of these two, but Klopp would have understood Conte’s game plan and could possibly sneak in a surprise.
- Matip and Lovren to isolate Diego Costa is always going to be easier said than done, but if the two are somehow able to make sure Costa doesn’t have a good day in the office things could slightly move into Liverpool’s favour.
Expect this to be a very closely contested game, if somehow Klopp is able to make Liverpool play to their strengths we could be in for a real surprise here. A Liverpool win will not only boost their chances of a top 4 finish but will give them the spring they need to achieve may be more than just a top 4 finish considering now Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City and Spurs have to play more games than Liverpool while the Reds only play 15 games in the space of 4 months.
Now with a near full strength and a near fully fit squad Liverpool could be the threat they were when they started the league campaign. Conte knows a slip up at Anfield will give Arsenal and the others the initiative to push as Chelsea host the Gunners after this game and anything can happen and change in the Premier league.
