A Must-Read Chelsea v. Liverpool Preview
Given that Manchester United has just 2 points after two matches (0-0 against Reading, 1-1 against Portsmouth), Liverpool and Chelsea smell blood in the water as they prepare to meet on Sunday in the Barclays Premier League. Factor in that one of those draws came at Old Trafford against a 10-man Reading and that United will be playing a very determined Manchester City this weekend without Cristiano Ronaldo there is reason to believe pressure can be applied to the Champions at an early stage in the season.
At the same time an argument could be made that the match to be contested at Anfield will be a 90 minute slog as neither side is prepared to risk dropping all the points available. This type of strategy is what makes the Premier League such fascinating viewing. Jose Mourinho has an injured squad that has let in 3 goals (2 against Birmingham, 1 against Reading) and even if John Terry is in the lineup his match fitness has to be questioned. Meanwhile, Rafael Benitez watched his side put in a very impressive performance away at Aston Villa in week 1 and travel to Toulouse mid-week for a Champions League qualifier that was played in blistering heat but scored a crucial away goal that should make progress to the next round a sure bet.
If you recall this fixture from last season, Peter Crouch and Jermaine Pennant both scored fantastic goals as the Reds won 2-0. I have a feeling that Benitez is going to be eager to unleash his new look squad on Chelsea, establish Liverpool as the class of the league early and build a small points gap on United and Chelsea. There is an embarrassment of riches at the striker and mid-field positions. Dirk Kuyt was rested against Toulouse which leads me to believe he will partner up top with Fernando Torres. First off the bench should be Ryan Babel - a player that looks like he could take the Premier League by storm - or Andriy Voronin after he unleashed the winning wonder strike in France. The early returns of Babel and Voronin could mean that Crouch looks more one-dimensional than ever in the eyes of Benitez and will struggle to get minutes in matches of this magnitude. Keep in mind, Babel can always be placed in the attacking midfield role which could boost Crouch's chances of making an appearance against Chelsea.
The midfield of Liverpool presents further possibilities. Steven Gerrard (fractured toe and all) will be starting in the center but I am not certain that Xabi Alonso will return to the starting role in the league. Javier Mascherano will probably make the start as his tackling and tenaciousness is going to be critical against Chelsea. Pennant, despite his antics at Villa, should earn at least the first 45 minutes especially after the way he attacked this fixture last season. I am still not sold Momo Sissoko is the dynamic player Benitez promised upon his arrival. At this point I think he is a 2nd half substitute that comes on for defensive purposes. Yossi Benayoun's versatility could garner him consideration in the starting lineup. Even though Benitez is the Master of Tinkering I feel he will keep John Arne Riise on the left and only use Benayoun as a substitute.
Didier Drogba has been a Liverpool killer in the past and Florent Malouda will give the defense all kinds of problems. Malouda is just a remarkable footballer and should know he was brought to Chelsea for this type of match. He must assert himself early in the match. Shaun Wright-Phillips has been the best player on the pitch for Chelsea in the early part of this season. Is Michael Essien at 100%? Probably not, but he will still be in the lineup because Essien at 80% is better than most midfielders in the world. Frank Lampard hasn't looked bad - even scoring a goal - but I'm still not a believer in this guy.
The match in my opinion has 1-1 or even (deep sigh) a 0-0 draw. If there is going to be a winner though I think Liverpool should be able to ride their momentum, confidence and home field to victory. Plus, Chelsea's defense is questionable right now. Richardo Carvalho is injured, Terry is back but not fully fit and I have trouble believing Tal Ben-Haim is a defender worthy of being on a championship contending squad. Ashley Cole is a shell of his former self. Simple as that. I see Essien having to drop back and when his opportunities to attack are decreased the odds of Liverpool winning increase.
Even though it is very early there is a hell of a lot to lose in this match. Get ready for another snoozer between these two clubs. Vein of Form is calling it a scoreless draw.
At the same time an argument could be made that the match to be contested at Anfield will be a 90 minute slog as neither side is prepared to risk dropping all the points available. This type of strategy is what makes the Premier League such fascinating viewing. Jose Mourinho has an injured squad that has let in 3 goals (2 against Birmingham, 1 against Reading) and even if John Terry is in the lineup his match fitness has to be questioned. Meanwhile, Rafael Benitez watched his side put in a very impressive performance away at Aston Villa in week 1 and travel to Toulouse mid-week for a Champions League qualifier that was played in blistering heat but scored a crucial away goal that should make progress to the next round a sure bet.
If you recall this fixture from last season, Peter Crouch and Jermaine Pennant both scored fantastic goals as the Reds won 2-0. I have a feeling that Benitez is going to be eager to unleash his new look squad on Chelsea, establish Liverpool as the class of the league early and build a small points gap on United and Chelsea. There is an embarrassment of riches at the striker and mid-field positions. Dirk Kuyt was rested against Toulouse which leads me to believe he will partner up top with Fernando Torres. First off the bench should be Ryan Babel - a player that looks like he could take the Premier League by storm - or Andriy Voronin after he unleashed the winning wonder strike in France. The early returns of Babel and Voronin could mean that Crouch looks more one-dimensional than ever in the eyes of Benitez and will struggle to get minutes in matches of this magnitude. Keep in mind, Babel can always be placed in the attacking midfield role which could boost Crouch's chances of making an appearance against Chelsea.
The midfield of Liverpool presents further possibilities. Steven Gerrard (fractured toe and all) will be starting in the center but I am not certain that Xabi Alonso will return to the starting role in the league. Javier Mascherano will probably make the start as his tackling and tenaciousness is going to be critical against Chelsea. Pennant, despite his antics at Villa, should earn at least the first 45 minutes especially after the way he attacked this fixture last season. I am still not sold Momo Sissoko is the dynamic player Benitez promised upon his arrival. At this point I think he is a 2nd half substitute that comes on for defensive purposes. Yossi Benayoun's versatility could garner him consideration in the starting lineup. Even though Benitez is the Master of Tinkering I feel he will keep John Arne Riise on the left and only use Benayoun as a substitute.
Didier Drogba has been a Liverpool killer in the past and Florent Malouda will give the defense all kinds of problems. Malouda is just a remarkable footballer and should know he was brought to Chelsea for this type of match. He must assert himself early in the match. Shaun Wright-Phillips has been the best player on the pitch for Chelsea in the early part of this season. Is Michael Essien at 100%? Probably not, but he will still be in the lineup because Essien at 80% is better than most midfielders in the world. Frank Lampard hasn't looked bad - even scoring a goal - but I'm still not a believer in this guy.
The match in my opinion has 1-1 or even (deep sigh) a 0-0 draw. If there is going to be a winner though I think Liverpool should be able to ride their momentum, confidence and home field to victory. Plus, Chelsea's defense is questionable right now. Richardo Carvalho is injured, Terry is back but not fully fit and I have trouble believing Tal Ben-Haim is a defender worthy of being on a championship contending squad. Ashley Cole is a shell of his former self. Simple as that. I see Essien having to drop back and when his opportunities to attack are decreased the odds of Liverpool winning increase.
Even though it is very early there is a hell of a lot to lose in this match. Get ready for another snoozer between these two clubs. Vein of Form is calling it a scoreless draw.
posted by Anonymous at 11:31 AM
2 Comments:
This comment has been removed by the author.
Kuyt scored the other goal at Anfield last year, not Crouch.
As for the squad, I'm hoping Rafa sits Gerrard and starts Xabi and Mascherano. There's no need to risk aggravating Stevie-G's injury and having him out any longer than we have to. It may limit our attack options slightly, but it boosts us defensively. They don't score, they don't win. Period.
I have heard that Harry Kewell may be back. If so, I hope he'll be able to start. His experience is invaluable. Also I don't worry about Drogba as much as I worry about Joe Cole. Agger handled Drogba fine the last three matches we had with them last year. Everything else I pretty much agree with including Voronin and Babel being already better options than Crouch. Cheers.
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