Chelsea, Frank Lampard must keep momentum and stick with the 3-4-3 formation at Anfield if the Blues want a shot at three points.
Chelsea faces newly-elected champions Liverpool in Premier League action on Wednesday night, just three days after reaching the F.A. Cup final at Wembley. The penultimate game of the season could determine whether Chelsea secures Champions League football for next season or not. The switch to a back-three formation was a huge dominating factor as to why Frank Lampard’s side became the first team to beat United since January.
The tactical switch has helped Chelsea on several occasions this season. The opted approach was seen after doing the double of Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League, the win away at Arsenal and now the domestic cup joy. Therefore, Chelsea should use the 3-4-3 at Anfield.
Liverpool has not lost at home all season, but since the Reds were declared champions, their form has dropped off. Jurgen Klopp’s side has played seven games since the restart; earning three wins, two draws and two losses. To put this into perspective, they had only lost one Premier League game before they were ensured the title.
This is Chelsea’s best chance to beat Liverpool given their form. The tactics against United worked a treat on Sunday and it will need to be on point again if the Blues are going to secure at least a point.
Chelsea has been vulnerable to the counter-attack all season, hence why the team has conceded the most goals in the whole of the top 11 after conceding 49. This is because the full backs go bombing forward in a back four, leaving space to exploit when the opposing team fly forward. The three centrebacks help prevent this. This allows the wing-backs to go forward to assist in attack. When the opposing team wins the ball back and comes forward, there are three centrebacks who are in place to prevent major danger.
Furthermore, this formation allows the defensive line to be more compact when the opponents have the ball in and around the final third. Not only does Chelsea play better in a back three formation, its current players are suited better to play in this formation. Marcos Alonso is a much better wing-back than he is a full back where his lack of defensive capabilities is exposed.
Cesar Azpilicueta was one of the best defenders in European football when Chelsea won the league under Antonio Conte in 2016/17. This was also because he was playing on the right of a back-three. Chelsea has been superb when he has been playing in this role. The skipper has had a job in his natural position of a full back this season, but some performances have been questioned. This is due to the modern-day duties of a full back, needing electric pace and dangerous crosses into the box. Playing on the right side of a back-three allows the Spaniard to utilise his main strengths, which are reading the game and defending.
The role of the winger is heavily involved when Chelsea play this way. Mason Mount and Willian were the wide players against Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side in the FA Cup on Sunday. Their positions were often inverted, which caused confusion and awkwardness for United.
This is because the wing-backs secure the wide areas when the Blues have the ball. The wide players can come inside, which allows them to dominate the numbers in midfield. Winning the battle of the midfield can often determine the outcome of a game, Chelsea can do this with the added outlet of the wing-backs if they wish to go wide.
Having a physical target-forward proves successful when playing a 3-4-3, as well. The runs off of the striker always cause issues for defenders. Oliver Giroud is phenomenal in this formation because of his link-up play and his elegant give and go moves when he receives the ball. This creates space for the likes of Christian Pulisic, Mount and Willian because of the move’s efficiency. It shifts the team up the pitch, when the French forward comes deep, adding another blue in midfield. The rotation beats the opposition’s press simply because it outnumbers the other side.
This, when added with his world class ability with his back to goal, allows Giroud to get into space when it comes to connecting with balls into the box. This hands Chelsea a different outlet when he is in the side. Playing the ball out wide to find Giroud in the penalty area is always a solid choice. This was proven against United on Sunday. The ball was played out wide, Giroud arrived at the front post to flick past David De Gea, beating his marker Victor Lindelof in the process.
It is likely that Chelsea will stick with a 3-4-3 against Liverpool. Lampard will know what their deadly front three will bring. Klopp’s side will be more competitive than what United were. They will be lifting the Premier League title after the game, a loss on their trophy day is something they do not want to be associated with on the historic day.