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Chelsea: Four things to look for as Blues survive Liverpool trophy lift

By Varun Dani

Watford's French midfielder Etienne Capoue (L) is challenged by Chelsea's Brazilian midfielder Willian during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Watford at Stamford Bridge in London on July 4, 2020. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by GLYN KIRK/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Watford's French midfielder Etienne Capoue (L) is challenged by Chelsea's Brazilian midfielder Willian during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Watford at Stamford Bridge in London on July 4, 2020. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by GLYN KIRK/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 22: Marcos Alonso of Chelsea is tackled by Davinson Sanchez of Tottenham Hotspur and Serge Aureier of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea FC at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on December 22, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /

2. 3-4-3 or 4-3-3?

There were questions before the FA Cup semifinal against Manchester United as to whether Lampard would be willing to sacrifice his style of play for pragmatic tactics. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, with a rather one dimensional counter attacking approach had trumped over Lampard three times, so it was arguably the Englishman’s biggest test as a manager. To the delight of Chelsea fans, he passed with flying colors.

Lampard expertly deployed the 3-4-3 to close down space behind the back line, which the United forwards had exploited in the past. Further, the wings were overloaded with wingers and wing backs, which directly led to Chelsea’s first and third goal and eventually the win. But the question begs to be asked; will the same tactic work against Liverpool?

The two sides have met three times this season, with the results being a win, loss and draw (loss on penalties) for the Blues. The tactical approach in those matches revolved around controlling the midfield with the 4-3-3, which worked every time. The first two games were mightily close affairs while Chelsea dominated the FA Cup tie in March. This suggests that Chelsea can fight Liverpool on an equal footing with the 4-3-3 and even come away with a victory. But would the 3-4-3 elevate Lampard’s chances of winning?

Liverpool doesn’t pose much of threat from the central areas of the field but rather the winger-full back combo which is Klopp’s prime strategy. By deploying the 3-4-3, Lampard could yet again overload the wings from a defensive and offensive sense. Marcos Alonso and Reece James could mark Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson while Cesar Azpilicueta and Antonio Rudiger can shadow Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah.

With timely turnovers in possession, Chelsea’s wingers and wing backs could exploit the space vacated by Liverpool’s offensive full backs and strike with rapid counters. Simple, balanced and deadly; 3-4-3 is certainly an intriguing proposition.

Will Lampard go with the tried and tested 4-3-3 or gamble with a risky 3-4-3? Fortune favors the bold.

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