Chelsea-Liverpool Preview
Premature previews were being written last week, after Chelsea's shock defeat to Wigan, and Liverpool's mauling of Hull at Anfield. But the midweek Champions League fixtures have completely changed circumstances, particularly for Liverpool.
Liverpool's 1st half display will have Drogba, Lampard, and Cole licking their chops, and while the second half was a big improvement, Liverpool's defence, questionable since the beginning of the season, showed a lack of organization and leadership beyond anything seen since the first half of that famous match against Mr. Ancelotti's excellent AC Milan team in the Champions League Final. It must noted though, that Chelsea also didn't perform particularly well in their midweek match, but came back with a 1-0 victory over Apoel Nicosia.
Chelsea's supporters will feel confident, as the chances of Chelsea performing poorly for 3 matches in a row is very slim, and the players are expected to bounce back in style against Liverpool. Drogba is in excellent form, and will relish coming up against Carragher, who has a difficult time on the best of days against the Ivorian hitman, and in current form looks like providing little in the way of opposition. Drogba currently has 6 league goals (joint second with Bent and Rooney) and will be looking to knock a couple in, especially given Reina's assertion that Torres, not Drogba, is the best striker in the league.
Lampard on the other hand hasn't been hitting the heights in terms of goals so far, but it's difficult to see that lasting. He will relish the prospect of coming up against the inexperienced Lucas, who despite his strong displays so far this season, will have his hands full. Lampard's ability to be at the right place at the right time will be crucial, and he will be certain to draw some dangerous free kicks from the often-rash Lucas. The deified/vilified figure of John Terry will of course be crucial in Chelsea's defence, and it will be his job to bully Torres in to submission and silly yellow cards. Torres has a good record against Chelsea, averaging around a goal per game against the London club, but most of those goals have come in the home matches. Expect Terry to try to dominate Torres physically, roughing up the striker, preventing him from turning, and as always getting the benefit of a lenient referee.
Essien, Chelsea's most important and dynamic player, might be asked again to man-mark Gerrard, which he did to great effect last season in the 3-1 victory at Anfield. Whether or not Ancelotti asks him to perform the same task is unclear, for while it potentially will remove Gerrard from the game, Essien's attacking drive and and presence, while not as dangerous as Drogba, might be just the thing to keep Mascherano occupied, leaving the Liverpool defence exposed to Drogba, Anelka, and Lampard, a prospect that will leave Liverpool fans expecting the worst.
On the flanks, Cole and Bosingwa will be looking to repay last years defeat by turning the tables on Liverpool's fullbacks, with the inexperienced Insua and the very attacking Johnson both open to exploitation. If they can nullify those two, then Liverpool's attack becomes much more predictable, and it will be easy for Chelsea to isolate Torres, Benayoun, and Kuyt.
Now, not all is rosy with Chelsea, as Cech is suspended, and will be replaced by Hilario in goal. Hilario has performed well in the past, but is definitely not in the same class as even the current Cech, who himself is clearly not what he was 3 years ago. If Liverpool can test him early, and rock his confidence, then Chelsea will be challenged.
For Liverpool, the postmortem continues over their defeat to Fiorentina (who played a perfect first half, it must be said,) where the organization, discipline, and desire often characteristic of Liverpool in Europe was instead displayed by their opponents. Liverpool looked lost, unable to maintain possession, and very, very susceptible to the counter-attack. Carragher and Skrtel both looked like novices, and a big improvement is imperative if Liverpool are to stand a chance against Chelsea. However, this is the type of match that Carragher has made his reputation from, with backs-to-the-walls defending and last-ditch tackles required. However, Carra has never had a good time against Drogba, and most pundits are predicting the worst for the Liverpool stalwart. If Drogba gets in his head, then the game will be over, and even a sending off for Carra wouldn't be too much of a surprise. Carra will also have to improve on his leadership and do a better job of organizing the defence, particularly the off-sides trap and marking duties.
On the flanks, Insua (or Aurelio) and Johnson will be expected to improve, and they will be tasked with providing good offensive support to Kuyt, Benayoun, or Riera, but will also have to contribute defensively. We all saw what happens when Carra or Skrtel get caught 1v1 or 2v2, with neither central defender comfortable coming out wide or fast enough to recover if the full-backs get caught out. West Ham's Hines had a field day against the slow Liverpool defence, and it was only once the quick Johnson started to come infield and cover him that Liverpool finally looked secure. Expect Anelka or Malouda to pose the same sort of threat, and with the CB's hands full with Drogba, the fullback's defensive duties will be crucial.
In midfield, Mascherano is expected to return, and provide his usual tough tackling and defensive runs. Hie hasn't been at his best this season, and the fans have been on his back because of his desire to go to Barcelona. If he can return to his best and put in a performance in this match, much will be forgiven. His predicted midfield partner, Lucas, is always, the subject of much debate in Liverpool circles. While some point to his displays as evidence of an excellent all-round player, who's subtle but crucial contribution goes unnoticed by the more "knee jerk" type of fan, other fans decry his unambitious displays, pointing to his defensive passing, occasional mistakes, and formerly-wavy hair as reasons why he's simply nowhere near good enough. I personally think he can do an excellent job in midfield, as his passing and movement are both excellent, and with some more confidence he could become an excellent box-to-box midfielder. That said, I expect him to be thoroughly tested in this match, and I wouldn't be surprised if he was completely overrun by Chelsea's midfield.
Gerrard, another player who's form has been unexceptional, to put it mildly, could do with a performance. Mediocre in his last two matches against Chelsea, he will be looking to prove a point against Essien and Lampard. If he can avoid being shackled by Essien, and if he re-ignites his partnership with Torres, then Liverpool fans will have reason to hope. Benitez is sure to have told him to use his long-range shooting early on to test Hilario, so expect him to be closed down quickly. If he can control the ball better than he did against La Viola, and make those crucial passes to Torres, then expect Terry and the Chelsea defence to have their hands full.
Kuyt is as always expected to start in this crucial match, and will be looking to lock down Ashley Cole and press Chelsea's midfield and defence when they have the ball. If he can do his usual job of neutralizing the opposition full-back while providing opportunities for Torres, Benitez will be thrilled. On the other side, it is unclear whether or not Benayoun or Riera will start, but I expect Riera to start, providing Liverpool with a true winger, and giving Bosingwa something to think about. He will need to provide something of a goal throat as well, for any crosses in to the box are likely to be dealt with by the aerially-excellent Terry. Benayoun will be expected to be on the bench with Babel, as both can proved a spark coming on as subs. Babel is finally starting to show some of the ability that convinced Benitez to gamble on him, and if he can provide some speed (I swear if I hear the word "pace" again, I'm going to kill the commentator or pundit!) and width down the right side, he could be the difference-maker.
Torres has been in pretty good form so far this season, despite early-season criticism, and will be looking to extend his good form against Chelsea. Bot for Torres to perform, he will need to get the ball, and will need support. If he is put in the same position as he was in against La Viola, then he will be very hard pressed to produce anything against Chelsea's excellent defence.
In goal, Pepe Reina will be hoping that he can avoid any sort of mistakes, and will need to be in top form against Drogba and Anelka. No silly penalties like the one conceded against Man United last year, and if he can dominate his box, then Liverpool will feel much more secure in defence.
Key Man/Key Tactical Battle: Michael Essien/Midfield
If Essien can produce one of his box-to-box displays, then Liverpool's midfield will in all probability be overrun. His defensive energy and physicality mean that he will probably be tasked with stopping Gerrard, and if he can do that while going forward as well, then Liverpool will have an extremely tough task. The midfield trio of Lampard, Ballack, and Essien has all the ingredients to overwhelm the the Liverpool trio of Mascherano, Lucas, and Gerrard, and if they can pull it off, then they will win the game.
Prediction:
Chelsea 2-0 Liverpool
Chelsea's midfield and attack will be too much for Liverpool to handle, and with Torres isolated in attack, Liverpool will be toothless.
the only question mark is whether teams will be able to nullify their fullbacks, since we all know Ancelotti will be expecting them to provide the team's width. If mid-table teams use that and counter-attack down the flanks, then they might have a hard time. We'll see how teams try and combat Ancelotti's tactics, and whether he is forced to change or adapt his formation.
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