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Liverpool vs Chelsea: 5 things to look for in the blockbuster match

By Subhrajit Chowdhury

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MARCH 04: Sadio Mane of Liverpool is challenged by Antonio Ruediger of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Chelsea at Anfield on March 04, 2021 in Liverpool, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Phil Noble - Pool/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MARCH 04: Sadio Mane of Liverpool is challenged by Antonio Ruediger of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Chelsea at Anfield on March 04, 2021 in Liverpool, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Phil Noble - Pool/Getty Images) /
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Chelsea’s Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku gestures toward supporters at the end of the match during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium in London on August 22, 2021. – Chelsea won the game 2-0. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Chelsea’s Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku gestures toward supporters at the end of the match during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium in London on August 22, 2021. – Chelsea won the game 2-0. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images) /

5)  Romelu Lukaku vs Virgil van Dijk

Last Sunday, Lukaku seemed like one of the most dominant strikers to have ever stepped into the Premier League. His strength and vision were second to none, and he manhandled Pablo Mari throughout the afternoon. The Spanish defender is quite tall and robust, but in front of the Belgian, he was nothing. Lukaku turned around his markers time and time again and at one point, it was really boys vs men out on the pitch.

However, the former Manchester United striker may have a bit more of a challenge in his next game. He will most likely be marked by van Dijk throughout the game, and the Dutchman is considered as one of the best defenders in the world. Lukaku will need more than just sheer physical strength to go past van Dijk and it will be interesting to watch who will get the better of whom in this battle of titans. One thing that will go in favor of the attacker is the fact that van Dijk was injured throughout last season, and he may not be at 100 percent yet. Lukaku will need to exploit that and assert his dominance all over the Premier League.

4) Thomas Tuchel vs Jurgen Klopp

Not only will we have 22 of the best players in the world battling it out on the field on Saturday, but we will also have two German masterminds who will try to outsmart one another to win the game. Tuchel has arguably been the best manager since he came over to England. He has put new life into a struggling Chelsea team and made it the best in the whole of Europe. Klopp also wrote a similar story with Liverpool. However, his project was much longer and had a lot of ups and downs. Tuchel, on the other hand, was an instant success at Chelsea.

Tuchel did have a lot of world class players at his disposal that took the Blues from almost mid-table to winning the Champions League. His man management was unreal nonetheless. Both of these gaffers are world class, and they will surely be analyzing everything about their opponents. Klopp’s team has started the league in a very dominant fashion, Tuchel is right there with him though. The Chelsea boss also defeated Pep Guardiola three times in a row last season, and the Spanish mastermind is deemed to be the best coach in the world. It will truly be a battle of minds on Saturday and many readers certainly hope that Tuchel can win that battle.

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