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Liverpool's wait for domestic league now seems set to be stretching to 25 years after they succumbed to their third loss in a row in all competitions. This time it was a 1-2 defeat at the hands of league leaders Chelsea.The Blues recovered from on early set back as Emre Can's deflected shot off Gary Cahill left Thibaut Courtouis flatfooted to give the Reds an early lead. Mourinho's side, however, didn't waste much time getting back into things as Gary Cahill more than made uo for the mishap at the other end when he bundled over the ball after it had arrived to him via a flurry of ricochets.Diego Costa finally had the last say in the game, thrashing in the winner as the clock struck 67 minutes.Here are five biggest talking points from the game that seems to have put the final nail in the coffin for Liverpool when it comes to being a championship contender.
#1 Liverpool look clueless in the final third
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Liverpool looked threatening to begin the game and were the first ones off the block. They were soon duly rewarded for their endeavours when Emre Can put them ahead although be it from a deflected shot.
Brendan Rodger’s side looked impressive early on with their crisp passing and movement early on, but even then, they were miles away from the Liverpool we saw last season. The difference? They lacked any real conviction and or a cutting edge when it comes to their play in the final third.
While Balotelli put a shift on for a change, it never really amounted to putting either John Terry or Gary Cahill under any kind of sustained pressure. In fact the only player who really looked like having the ability to carve the Blues open was Phillipe Coutinho during the early spells of the game.
Thus, it was even more intriguing to know exactly what Brendan Rodgers had in mind when he took off the Brazilian at half-time.
The SAS is long gone and the fans are yet to really see what the new version of the SAS (Sturridge and Sterling) can really do. Till then they can really do with someone really stepping in for Liverpool. Who and how they are going to do it? Well, that’s what Brendan Rodgers gets paid to do.
#2 Diego Costa is amongst the best in the business
Diego Costa’s emergence on to the footballing scene has been phenomenal. I was amazed last summer when Brendan Rodgers was ready pay a lumpsum for the Spanish international’s services, while Costa was still unproven at this level.
One year on and Diego Costa is one of the most hottest properties that exist in European football. His physicality, his presence and clever movement as seen him take to the Premier League like a duck to water and the take Chelsea to the top of the table.
He was there again today as the lynchpin of Chelsea’s attacks, making a nuisance of himself even when the Blues didn’t have possession and when they did; helping himself to his 10th goal of the campaign.
There has only been two players in Chelsea’s history in the Premier League to have scored 10 goals in his first 11 Gameweeks: Frank Lampard and Jimmy Floyd Hasselaink. No, not even Didier Drogba was as impressive in his initial days at the club.
#3 Rodgers under pressure
“When You Spend £100 Million, You Should Be Winning The League." Well that’s what Brendan Rodgers said when Tottenham and Andres Vilas Boas were off to a not so good start last season as they sought to replace their main Gareth Bale, who had then scooted off to Real Madrid.
People sympathize on Rodgers’ situation with Suarez gone and Sturridge absent due to injury. But, his summer signings are beginning to get questioned and his team selection and substitutions are getting looked at with even more scrutinizing eyes.
Rodgers spent £45 million on two players who are currently not even making the pitch and went on to replace arguably Liverpool’s most creative player after 70 mins. Even at the back, Liverpool fans expected Kolo Toure to be given a start after his impressive show against Real Madrid at mid-week. Even Fabio Borini’s exclusion was frowned upon by the Kop.
It’s high time that Rodgers sort things out in his house at Liverpool or else people will judge him as just another manager who was made to look good by a world class talent at his disposal.
#4 Chelsea are the best team in England and they have a really good player called Nemanja Matic
There has been talks about Chelsea replicating the “invincible” unbeaten season that Arsenal enjoyed enroute to their title in 2003-04. While these may just be only whispers which even Jose Mourinho isn’t paying any heed to, there certainly doesn’t seem to be any other team in the league capable of toppling the Blues at the moment.
From the back to the front and even across the field, Mourinho has built up a team that oozes qualiy.
Whilst most of Mourinho’s signing this summer has been spot, the best piece of deal that might bring the title back to London this season might have been done in January. Whilst many a tree has been cut for printing papers singing the praises of Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas, the contribution of Nemanja Matic goes unnoticed, even to most of the Chelsea fans.
The Serbian has been a rock in the middle for the Londoners. His industrious play has lent the flair players like Oscar, Willian and Hazard to express themselves up front without having to worry about their defensive duties much. Meanwhile Gary Cahill and John Terry might have also found their new best friend in Matic.
Even in this game, Matic was an imposing figure in the middle. Even when Liverpool enjoyed the lion’s share of the possession, the Merseysiders found it difficult to break the Blues down the middle. With Sterling not at his best on the wings, the Reds seemed to be stifled going forward.
#5 Liverpool need work on their set-pieces and what aout Mario Balotelli?
Liverpool have had 101 corners in all competition this season, but they are yet to score any goals from them. Liverpool are having problems dealing with set-pieces on both ends of the pitch this season and this was even more apparent in this game. Even Steven Gerrard’s pin-point deliveries seems worthless when there is no working his socks off to get at the end of things.
The equalizer by Gary Cahill saw four Chelsea players in and around the box totally unmarked as is apparent from the image below.
A similar thing was experienced by the Kops when they were playing Basel in the Champions League earlier this season as Streller bundled home a similar rebound to give the Swiss a crucial win over the Reds. Take a look and look for the similarities.
This brings us to the subject of Mario Balotelli. While many can’t blame him today as the service to the frontman was actually dour. But the questions as to what he really bring to the table for Liverpool. He has been too nonchalant in working as the lone target man and too indifferent in providing the midfield with a real outlet to springboard their attacks.
Whilst Liverpool fans will be ecstatic on hearing about Sturridge’s expected return to the team against Crystal Palace, there will still be a big question mark hanging on Balotelli’s future at Merseyside.
