Chelsea: Playing the best attack against Liverpool means playing Giroud

Chelsea’s best option against Liverpool on Sunday is to include Olivier Giroud at center forward and use Timo Werner on the left wing.

Chelsea should seize the moment and start Olivier Giroud at the center forward against Liverpool. The Blues are coming off a solid—but not spectacular—win against always tough Brighton, especially at the American Express Community Stadium. Unfortunately Timo Werner suffered what Frank Lampard termed “dead leg” during the match, but hopefully will be fit to start against Liverpool. Nonetheless, Giroud should get the nod to play against the champions and start at center forward.

This will be a perfect opportunity for Lampard to utilize his strong bench (at least if/when everyone is fully fit) to his advantage. Giroud could be especially important in this game to help tie up the central defender whom many feel is the world’s best, Virgil van Dijk. He is a huge presence on the Liverpool back line and the team’s emergence as championship-caliber began when he and keeper Alisson were added to bolster the defense. The team was then complete, something that Chelsea—with all its new additions—has yet to accomplish.

Giroud has been cited by Eden Hazard as the best targetman in the world. That’s high praise indeed for a player who, while at Chelsea, was one of the best wingers on the planet.

Giroud’s height and strength can be used to great advantage Sunday. He will demand great attention from Liverpool’s central defense because of his ability to hold up play, direct the ball to his wingers and to finish with authority. Meanwhile, if he is fit, using Werner on the left—a position with which he is well-acquainted—will maximize the attack’s ability to challenge Liverpool’s great defense.

Lampard can also consider using a 4-4-2 formation, employing both of his two back-up strikers against Liverpool should Werner be unavailable. Abraham and Giroud up front would command attention since both are lethal finishers. The midfield could then be manned by Mount on the left, Kovacic and Kante in the center, and Havertz on the right. It may be worth considering since Werner, Pulisic and Ziyech could be out of action.

Whatever Werner’s situation, fit or unfit, this is a game to employ Giroud up top to help neutralize Liverpool’s defensive advantages. Hopefully, Werner will be fit and can play off Giroud from the left, using his blistering pace to slash through the back line after receiving service from the big World Cup-winning Frenchman. This may also be a game in which the gaffer should also let his young ace, Callum Hudson-Odoi, loose in a meaningful match. He could slot in on the right wing, along with Werner and Giroud in attack.

Once again, the rumored links to Bayern Munich have arisen. Slotting Hudson-Odoi in against Liverpool would be as high a vote of confidence as the manager can offer. He should definitely start if Werner is out and could be a great asset if Werner and Giroud start, as well. It’s time for the club to give the young Englishman his opportunity; he just may surprise them and help gain the win against this formidable opponent.

Who do you think should get the nod at striker? Let us know in the comments or on Twitter!