Chelsea v Liverpool: Cissokho and Sakho are the weakness to be exposed

Chelsea take on Liverpool this afternoon at Stamford Bridge and it’s another must win game for the blues if we are to continue to put pressure on the league leaders Man City and Arsenal. This is no easy game however but I believe that Chelsea need to follow this game plan to have a chance of winning the game.

Without question, Luis Suarez is one of the most in-form strikers in the world at the moment and we need to keep him quiet but it’s not all about him. The threat of Coutinho and Sterling playing up alongside him are also something Jose will need to consider when he names his starting back four.

Liverpool move the ball quickly and one-touch pass and move is a feature of their recent successes. As soon as presented with an option, the likes of Lucas, Allen or Henderson will all look to play balls down the channels and in between the full back and centre halves to release the attacking three.

Defensively, Liverpool leave themselves exposed as they push numbers forward. At Man City they were caught out on the counter attack and had pushed EIGHT players up in their attacking phase. When that broke down, Yaya Toure plays a short pass to Nasri who plays a ball out wide to Navas and in that moment, Liverpool are faced with a two vs two situation at the back.

Defending set pieces is also a Liverpool weakness. Time and time again they are beaten at the near AND far post. Aly Cissokho gets caught out ball watching at the back post from his left back position and if we can have someone make a late run from the right hand side into the box, we WILL catch him out.

Mamadou Sakho is another who gets caught out ball watching. If you watch the City winner, knowing he has his marker Negredo to keep an eye on, he leaves his position in the middle, comes across to the left hand side to close down Navas and presents the Spaniard with an opportunity to play Negredo in through the middle.

Just have a look at the last few goals Liverpool have conceded and it’s the same old story. A defensive set piece that catches them out at the back post or one of these two getting caught ball watching and leaving their marker.

Chelsea MUST remain disciplined at the back today, we need to negate any space between the midfield and the back four and then rely on what our attacking three could do. It’s going to be hard, but it’s something we have proven time and time again that we can do.

We have all seen the chances we create and have missed. One of these days someone is going to get thumped four or five by Chelsea but once again, I cannot see that being today.

Branislav Ivanovic could have a big, big day today if he concentrates on a late run towards the back post from set pieces, looking for any flick on’s at the near post. Liverpool do not defend the back post and it’s a massive area we MUST expose!

To sum up:

• Chelsea must remain disciplined at the back
• We must negate the space between defence and midfield
• The attacking three of Suarez, Sterling and Coutinho could run a mock if they find space
• At times, Chelsea can hurt Liverpool in wide areas on the counter attack
• Liverpool push men forward and leave wide areas exposed – Hazard could be key today
• Cissokho gets caught time and time again ball watching and leaves his marker
• Sakho is another who takes his eye off his marker and gets caught ball watching
• Chelsea must take advantage of Liverpool weakness at defending corners
• THE BACK POST is the main area Chelsea can capitalise to score whether it’s through open play or attacking set pieces.

This game is huge and heading to Southampton on Wednesday, we have to take three points!

I believe 100% this is a winnable game as long as we can keep their attacking three quiet.

Come on Chelsea! Give us three points!

Carefree & KTBFFH!