Here are the five players who could change the game on their own when Liverpool play Chelsea.
Liverpool will face Chelsea in the UEFA Super Cup in Vodafone Arena, Istanbul on Wednesday. The Reds and Blues take part in this competition because of their successful mission in the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Super League respectively.
Jurgen Klopp’s men were 2-0 victors against Tottenham Hotspur in the final, while the then Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri’s side blew Arsenal away 4-1 to clinch his first trophy in his managerial career.
When these sides met in April four months back, Liverpool secured a comfortable 2-0 victory in Anfield. Second half strikes from Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah were the different makers in this game. It was an exceptional performance to cross the line and secure three points.
In the head-to-head between these sides over the last three seasons, this fixture leans on Liverpool because of their dominant performances. Undoubtedly, they head into this fixture as favourites, but Chelsea could spring a surprise following the return of N’Golo Kante and Willian.
Since both the sides are stacked with individual quality, we shall look at the top five players who could alter the game on their own on Wednesday.
#5 N’Golo Kante (Chelsea):
N’Golo Kante came on as a substitute in the second half against Manchester United on Sunday. The French midfielder will hope to find a starting spot on Wednesday in the Super Cup.
The former Leicester City midfielder will start with Jorginho in the heartbeat of the midfield department. The 28-year-old, who does unlimited defensive and offensive work for fun, could have his say if he manages to find his old rhythm back. He makes plenty of interceptions and contributes in the attacking area, if required.
Tammy Abraham, Mason Mount, Willian, and Christian Pulisic could comprise the front four for the Blues. They will be benefitted because Kante provides utmost freedom to roam around and contribute to the final third.
Liverpool’s midfield quality is not limited, but the Blues could have a fair quality comparatively because of the quality to keep the boxes ticking with their superior passing. Kante will have a huge role to play against the reigning Champions League winners.
#4 Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool):
Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson are linchpin to Liverpool’s creativity. The right-back will be aiming to cut down his defensive lapses, which has decreased over the last few months despite tiny mistakes in a few games.
Frank Lampard committed a mistake by starting Ross Barkley over Christian Pulisic on Sunday. The USA International, who started pre-season games, is anticipated to be restored in the starting eleven to dispense the front line with creativity and breakneck pace.
Trent was in the end of as many as 16 assists, which was the most by any other Liverpool player last season. Since Chelsea’s back line is inexperienced, his contribution towards the offensive line is pivotal. During the game against Manchester United, the gap between two Chelsea centre-backs appeared, helping the course of Marcus Rashford to make runs behind the defence.
The English International is an expert with his defence-splitting balls and could play a huge role in the upcoming game.
#3 Sadio Mane (Liverpool):
Sadio Mane reported to pre-season duty on August 5th and was not able to take part in the opening Premier League game against Norwich City on Friday night. Jurgen Klopp’s training is known for intensity and it will ease the potential game time for Sadio Mane before this intense clash.
The Senegal International will be raring to play Cesar Azpilicueta, who is not renowned for his pace. On the other hand, Liverpool forward is one of the quickest footballers in the world and could cause havoc through the left wing. Additionally, centre-backs Kurt Zouma and Andreas Christensen do not have enough pace to stop the free-flowing Liverpool’s trio.
When Mohamed Salah struggled for goals during the second part of the season, the former Southampton forward stepped up his plate and 75% of his goals came in that period. Since Emerson does not bomb forward, Salah could struggle for space, while Mane could have a free run through the left wing.
#2 Pedro (Chelsea):
Pedro was Chelsea’s best Chelsea player against Manchester United amidst unfair criticism on the forward. The Spanish International played full ninety minutes on Sunday and will start again in spite of Willian, who is recovering from a minor injury. The Brazilian will be expected to get included in the squad, but the former Barcelona player will get the nod again.
Andy Robertson and Virgil Van Dijk will play through the left defensive side and it could be tough for Pedro to bomb forward. The 32-year-old makes plenty of runs inside the box and could have his say in the final third of the pitch. He’s lighting quick and makes plenty of runs behind the defensive line.
He scored 13 goals last season, and his link up with either Tammy Abraham or Olivier Giroud will be effective in the final third of the pitch.
#1 Virgil Van Dijk
Liverpool looked far from convincing during their 4-1 rout over Norwich City on Friday night. The Dutch International, who anchors the back line, is key to the Reds’ hopes of cutting down the opponents’ threat in the final third.
With the midfield not looking more adventurous by contributing towards the front three, the full-backs will bolster forward with their runs. Should Olivier Giroud start, the Frenchman could torment the defence as he possesses aerial threat. The former Southampton defender, who found the back of the net via a corner on Friday, has the aerial prowess to cause disruption through corner of free kicks.
The reigning Champions League winners will stay without Alisson Becker for a few weeks and the defence should step up their game to keep the backup Adrian untested. During Friday night, Joe Gomez was caught napping – helping the course for Norwich’s Pukki to find the back of the net. Van Dijk needs to communicate with his defender like he does more often.
