LIVERPOOL
v
CHELSEA
Anfield, Liverpool
November 7, 2010, 9:25 PM IST
It was an implausible moment to fathom for Manchester United and Chelsea fans last season, when Didier Drogba, after receiving a Steven Gerrard back-pass, scored to seal the league title for the Pensioners. In the recent past, the fixture has always had an uncommon edge to it – be it a title-decider in the league or a high-profile Champion’s league eliminator – both clubs have fought intriguing battles on the pitch.
However, when Liverpool host the defending champions this time around it would be a different scenario, as the 4 time English Premier League Champions are sailing in a different boat altogether, compared to the Reds. In Merseyside, Chelsea would be looking to consolidate their tinkering form away from home, as they try to increase the lead at the top. On the other hand, Liverpool’s ambition will be on test, as they try to propel themselves to the top half of the table and reclaim the pride that they truly deserve.
Liverpool, after demolishing Napoli at Anfield on Thursday courtesy a brilliant hattrick by Steven Gerrard, are on a 3-match winning streak after September last year. The team looks brimming with confidence at the moment, which could prove to be vital when it faces a team that has netted the ball as many as 27 times in 10 games while only conceding thrice, this season.
Going by the tactics employed by Roy Hodgson against Blackburn at home, Liverpool should take the game to Chelsea rather than wait for the Londoners to March over them. Having said that, Liverpool full backs, Glen Jhonson and Paul Konchesky run the risk of getting robbed by the likes of Nicolas Anelka and Florent Malouda if they take the chance of running too far into the opponents box.
The midfield battle would be crucial to say the least; Meiereles and Lucas are showing signs of improvement but would find minimal time on the ball, and a moment of lapse in concentration could unleash Drogba to do the honours. Steven Gerrard could again turn out to be the lynchpin to the midfield battle; if the Liverpool captain outperforms the likes of Essien and Mikel, Liverpool could well be difficult to hold on to for the visitors.
Liverpool might also get a boost from the return of Dirk Kuyt. The Dutchman could be instrumental in holding on to Ashley Cole, who along with Ivanovic would be tempted to run down the opponents flanks as Liverpool would maintain a close structure near and around the box. Joe Cole would unfortunately miss out an outing against his former club due to a hamstring injury.
Probable Lineup – Reina, Carragher, Kyrgiakos, Johnson, Konchesky, Lucas, Meireles, Maxi, Gerrard, Jovanovic, Torres
- Probable Lineup
Chelsea
Chelsea would miss the services of Frank Lampard against Liverpool, whose comeback has been delayed yet again. The Londoners, after a solid start to the Premiership campaign, have looked a little rusty away from home, and without the creative inputs from Lampard, might find Liverpool a little difficult to break down. But as it stands, the quality of the current Chelsea starting 11 completely outshines that of Liverpool.
The Merseysiders have an unsettled midfield at the moment, and Chelsea may want to capitalize on this weakness by pressing up the field and cutting off the supply to Torres by marking Gerrard with Essien or Mikel. Moreover, the absence of a defending midfielder in the Liverpool line up would invite fouls at the edge of the box, which might help the likes of Alex and Ivanovic to score from set pieces.
At the end of the day, it might come down to an inspired Steven Gerrard hitting a 30-yard rocket to take his side through or the Chelsea power-house Michael Essien dictating the midfield at his beck and call.
Probable Lineup – Cech, Ivanovic, Alex, Terry, Cole, Mikel, Essien, Zhirkov, Malouda, Anelka, Drogba
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