Chelsea vs Liverpool: As Jurgen Klopp’s side prepare to take on Chelsea, we shall look at the three reds players who could change the game on their own.
Liverpool prepare to take on Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. The Reds are off to a flier having registered five victories out of five games, while their opponents have two victories and draws with eight points.
When these two sides went head-to-head in the UEFA Super Cup, Liverpool edged Chelsea on penalties after an entertaining 120 minutes. Olivier Giroud opened the scoring in the first half, but it was cancelled out by Sadio Mane in the opening stages of the second half. The Senegalese International added one more in the extra time before Jorginho rounded off a penalty to draw the game.
Jurgen Klopp’s side has kept only one clean sheet in all competitions, which comes as a massive conundrum this season. But, their attacking line has been at full-throttle, scoring goals for fun. Same can be said for Chelsea, but their defence is far from experienced. They have leaked the most in the league this season, and this doesn’t come as a good piece of news for Frank Lampard.
With this clash on the horizon, we shall look at three Liverpool players who could have utmost effect on the game.
#3 Roberto Firmino
Roberto Firmino is the heartbeat to Liverpool’s style of play. The Brazilian is the supplier for Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, who enjoy freedom in the offensive areas of the pitch.
The Reds struggled to penetrate into Chelsea’s half in the super cup and Roberto Firmino’s introduction in the second half came to a devastating effect. He made a run inside the Blues penalty box and guided the ball to Sadio Mane. He had an easy tap-in to level the score. Liverpool had various instances in the second half to get the go-ahead goal, but their strikers weren’t clinical in Istanbul.
He ticks all boxes in the defensive and attacking sides of the pitch – making life easier for his teammates. His early form has come as a worry for his opponents earlier this season. If he continues to find his rhythm, Firmino could have a huge say in this game.
#2 Virgil Van Dijk
Virgil Van Dijk is the main man for Liverpool’s backline. The Dutch International is getting exploited when the whole team tries to play high line. Famously, the former Southampton defender was caught napping when Christian Pulisic played a defence-splitting pass, which lead to Olivier Giroud’s goal in the Super Cup.
The Reds have kept only one clean sheet out of seven appearances this season. Their attack has at their best, but Jurgen Klopp will be worried about the shaky defence. The full-backs consisting of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson have been caught at guard at times leading to opponent counter-attack at times.
Tammy Abraham, who is lightening with his feet and turns, can cause rampage to the backline if Liverpool’s backline fail to turn up. Liverpool are likely to soak up pressure and hit the hosts on the counter-attack. For this method to work to the fullest, Virgil Van Dijk needs to command the defensive department.
#1 Mohamed Salah
Mohamed Salah scored a wonder goal from outside the penalty box when these two sides played each other in Anfield in April.
The Egyptian, who is the talisman for Jurgen Klopp, is integral to Liverpool’s goalscoring chances. He has scored over 70 goals over the last two season, thereby eclipsing to become one of the best players in the world.
The former Chelsea forward struggled to overcome Emerson Palmieri in the Super Cup last month. The Italian is once again anticipated to start over the second-fiddle Marcos Alonso during this clash on Sunday. It’s turning out to be a good battle, but the Liverpool forward got the better of the Chelsea defender in Anfield last season.
If Salah finds space behind Chelsea’s backline, he could have his say in front of the goal. Liverpool’s number 11 had two glorious chances at Stamford Bridge last campaign but didn’t manage to find the back of the net. If he’s clinical, Salah could be damaging to Chelsea’s defence.
