Last season the responsibility fell on Chelsea to put an end to Manchester City’s unbeaten run. This season it has fallen on Chelsea to put an end to Liverpool’s. Here are a few things to look out for in Sunday’s clash against the Reds.
Chelsea and Liverpool had similar experiences midweek in the Champions League, as both teams opened with their campaign with a loss. The Reds still have all the momentum and advantages, but the Blues have plenty in them to pull off the upset.
1. Liverpool’s attack vs. Chelsea’s
Liverpool have not been giving many goal-scoring opportunities to their opponents so far this season. They have the second-highest possession in the Premier League, have given up the fifth-fewest number of shots and have the third-lowest expected goals against. Their opponents have not taken the necessary advantage of those few opportunities, which is why Liverpool have conceded only four goals for a +11 goal differential.
It is up to Chelsea to convert whatever chances they can get into goals. The Blues are doing a decent job turning their chances into goals, but against Liverpool, if they are in a situation where you’d expect them to score, they have to, not least because their defence has been generous to the opposition.
The match will come down to who takes their chances. This fixture last season saw both teams playing wastefully in front of goal. Liverpool have overcome that, now it’s up to Chelsea.
2. How well can Chelsea press without Mason Mount or N’Golo Kante?
Chelsea has been pressing impressively lately. Frank Lampard demands that. In the UEFA Super Cup, Chelsea nearly out-pressed Liverpool, so much so that Liverpool had no space to play.
The 4-3-3 system Lampard deployed in that game worked to perfection. Chelsea would need that same level of intensity and commitment if they’re going to get anything out of this match.
However, N’Golo Kante is uncertain for the game and Mason Mount will be out. They are the most intense pressers on the team, and Liverpool will hope to have extra space and time without Kante and Mount bearing down on them. Mateo Kovacic will have to step up hard from the midfield and still recover quickly if Kante does not play, and the entire front line will have to work to cover for Mount’s absence when trying to regain the ball.
3. One challenge after another for Tammy Abraham
Tammy Abraham is on fire currently. He has scored a brace against two newly promoted teams, and a hat trick against a compact Wolves defense.
There are still some doubters, though, and this game will force the queston: Can he do it against the big boys? That is what we need to see.
Liverpool is the second team from the top six Abraham will face at this early stage. It is another opportunity for him to prove that he can not only against teams hoping for survival, but that he can also do it against defenders like Virgil Van Dijk and clubs defending the Champions League title.
Tammy Abraham has already secured his place in Frank Lampard’s XI and the affections of the fans. This is the real test for Abraham to put himself among the league’s top strikers at an early age, and lay down the marker for the coming years.