Chelsea vs Liverpool (1-1): Four talking points

Chelsea welcomed Liverpool this Saturday at Stamford Bridge in a top of the table clash having beaten the league leaders in the midweek in Carabao Cup. The fixture was eagerly anticipated as both the teams were the only unbeaten teams left this Premier League season along with defending champions Manchester City.

Lineups for both the teams offered little surprise as both the teams went for their usual starting eleven, however, Naby Keita was a notable absentee as Jordan Henderson lined up alongside Georginio Wijnaldum and James Milner. For Chelsea, Willian started on the right wing as Pedro labors his way back to fitness as the knock slightly derailed his excellent start to the season.

The first half was a hotly contested affair even though it took more than twenty minutes for any of the teams to actually create a clear-cut chance. Liverpool pressed high and looked to force the Chelsea players into errors while playing out from the back. The initial period was so evenly contested that a goal looked like an eventuality from either side. Eden Hazard broke the deadlock via an incisive through pass by Mateo Kovacic after a brilliant passing move by the Chelsea midfield in the buildup to the goal.

Liverpool’s response was sharp as they almost equalized from Mohammad Salah but Antonio Rudiger’s goal-line clearance ensured that hosts’ lead stays intact. In summary, it was a very engaging first half with both teams looking to outplay each other and there was not much difference in quality from either side.

The second half was expected to be an even more electric affair as the Merseyside club looked to balance the scoreline. Liverpool largely dominated the proceedings after the game in search of a goal. Mohammad Salah was substituted in for Shaqiri right after Giroud gave way to Alvaro Morata.

Both the managers were looking for ideas to gain upper hand in the game. It was Klopp’s substitution in the 86th minute when James Milner gave way to Daniel Sturridge, who leveled the score in the 89th minute with a world-class goal that should be in contention for goal of the season. The English striker netted for the second time in the space of a week against his old club. There was not enough time for either team to score another goal as the referee called the final whistle after four minutes of added time. 1-1 was perhaps a fair result however, Chelsea would be disappointed after conceding right at the end of the match.

Four talking points for Chelsea ahead:

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N'Golo Kanté

Chelsea v Liverpool - Premier League

After Chelsea’s draw against West Ham United, plenty of criticism was leveled at Ngolo Kante for not being proficient in attacking. There was a considerable discussion about the position of the Frenchman being too advanced and that he should be moved further backward in front of the defense, where he made his name. This would mean Jorginho playing further forward.

N'Golo Kanté however, looks like a crucial part of the Italian Maurizio Sarri's midfield puzzle, especially in his current box to box role. His work rate helps him support the team in attacks by attacking in the box and also winning the ball in crucial facets of play in the opposition half and thus, inflicting damage to the team. Against Liverpool, he was tidy in possession and constantly harried the opposition's midfield and did not allow them to settle.

Players like Kante and Azplicueta need some time to get accustomed to the new system as both the aforementioned’s limited ability on the ball has repeatedly been witnessed. But the world cup winner’s position in the Chelsea squad should not be any doubt as the midfielder is still crucial to the team’s plan and there is a chance that the diminutive Frenchman might have some attacking tricks in the locker that the new manager might unlock.

Kepa Arrizabalaga

The goalkeeper has not let his hefty price tag affect him

The world record signing for a goalkeeper, Kepa Arrizabalaga has surprisingly gone under the radar ever since the start of the season. After getting beaten in Alisson’s chase by Liverpool broke the world record amount for a goalkeeper. Chelsea broke the same record amount soon after by signing Kepa Arrizabalaga from Athletic Bilbao after paying his release clause worth a rumored €80 million. Even though eyebrows were raised on his price tag, the goalkeeper has looked assured and has not had a shaky moment yet.

While people could say that he could have done better in Sturridge’s equalizer, however, there possibly is not a goalkeeper in world football that would have stopped the Englishman’s equalizer. The strike was simply too good. Other than the late goal, the Spaniard looked assured with his feet as he sprayed the ball around confidently against Liverpool’s high-intensity press. Also, his positioning and command in the box were spot on. He has ensured that Chelsea does not miss Thibaut Courtois as the Belgian moved to Real Madrid this summer.

The striker situation

Chelsea v Hull City - The Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round

Chelsea faces a tricky striker situation currently. Currently, Eden Hazard’s blistering start to the season has made the discussion on poor goalscoring form of strikers redundant as of now. Alvaro Morata, who started as the first choice striker has endured a poor start to the season. The Spaniard was soon after replaced by Olivier Giroud.

Giroud shares a lovely chemistry with Eden Hazard and he has played a big part in the Belgian’s influence early in the season. However, his lack of mobility can cause Chelsea few problems. When pressured, Chelsea needed an outlet to stretch the defense but the Frenchman was unable to provide it. This prompted Sarri to put in Morata early in the second half.

Chelsea needs a striker in good goalscoring form because the Blues cannot rely on Eden Hazard completely for the goals and it might hurt them in the season ahead. This also makes the decision to let Michy Batshuayi go as questionable.

Chelsea’s lack of reliable alternatives

Ross Barkley

Plenty expected Chelsea to have a slow start to the season due to the late arrival of Maurizio Sarri from Napoli. The Blues, however, have had a very impressive start to the season and are still unbeaten in all competitions. Much credit should be given to the recruitment by the club. Currently, Chelsea has a very settled starting eleven but other than the first eleven on the pitch, none of the players look to have a fixed role in the squad yet.

In midfield, Ross Barkley started the season but was soon replaced by Kovacic. Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Fabregas are coming back from injuries thus, limiting Chelsea’s options. At right back, Cesar Azplicueta while being solid, has looked largely unspectacular and Davide Zappacosta, on the other hand, has rarely featured. Callum Hudson-Odoi has not featured ever since the start of the season. At striker, none of the center forwards have scored enough goals with Morata hitting his only strike of the season against Arsenal at home and Olivier Giroud is yet to open his account for the season.

The season is long and Sarri should consider rotating the squad more in the cup competitions to give other squad members some sharpness and opportunity to gain some form. This could help the players to get more accustomed to the role which the manager's envisages them in. This can also help Sarri in Premier League if he needs to change during a game as a reliable substitute can often change the game and become the difference between a victory or a loss.

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