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Involving two sides that employ similar philosophies, virtually the same formation and have scored precisely 14 top flight goals this season, Chelsea and Liverpool’s Premier League clash on Saturday looks set to be something of a thriller.
They gave a preview on Wednesday night in the form of a Carabao Cup encounter, but what will determine the next instalment this weekend? Football FanCast take a look at the key factors that will decide where Chelsea vs Liverpool is lost and won…
The Key Battle – Eden Hazard vs Mohamed Salah
It may seem an obvious one but when there are two world-class attacking talents on show, it’s difficult to resist drawing parallels. Eden Hazard seems to have kicked up a gear this term and produced an utterly unstoppable cameo outing at Anfield in midweek, scoring an early goal of the season contender to compliment his Premier League haul of five goals and two assists. Maurizio Sarri has even tipped the Belgium international to net 40 times by the end of the campaign.
Mohamed Salah, on the other hand, just hasn’t quite seemed like his usual self – certainly less smiles and less goals. But the Egyptian attacker has still notched up three strikes in six Premier League outings and statistically at least, his per game returns for the season have so far been in line with what he produced during his debut campaign at Anfield. Salah will be desperate to find the net against his former club and provide the kind of performance that will silence his emerging critics.
The Key Dynamic – Who can attack without leaving themselves too open?
It’s the delicate balance that decides every football game, but the poise between attack and defence on Saturday will be particularly important due to the teams involved. Jurgen Klopp and Maurizio Sarri will both insist their sides take the game to the opposition but it will need to be done in a way that doesn’t give complete freedom to the array of offensive quality on show.
Throw in the fact they employ similar philosophies and exactly the same formation, and Saturday’s game could quickly transgress into an incredibly open game of chess.
Based on performances so far this season, though, Liverpool surely boast the upper hand here. They’ve only conceded two goals in the Premier League and one of those was the Alisson howler against Leicester City. They appear to have found that crucial equilibrium by steadying themselves in defence, whereas the Blues are still glaringly open – especially when both full-backs push up the pitch to join the attack.
The Deciding Factor – Surviving Liverpool’s early onslaught
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Liverpool have scored the most first half goals of any Premier League team so far this season and remain the only side yet to concede in the opening 45 minutes. That’s an incredibly telling statistic but isn’t all that surprising; historically, the Reds have always looked to start games as strongly as possible and charge their way to an early lead, before controlling the match from then on.
That trait can, however, be used against them. In a 4-1 win at Wembley last season Tottenham started hard as well, scoring twice in the opening twelve minutes, and while attempting to replicate that is no doubt a risky strategy, the alternative is simply to survive Liverpool’s early onslaught by any means possible.
After that, they begin to run out of steam and those surging attacks become a lot less effective – something Jose Mourinho proved when Chelsea ended the Reds’ title hopes by winning 2-0 at Anfield during the 2013/14 season.
It’s not how Sarri likes to play the game but a pragmatic first half hour could be what wins it for the Blues. On the other hand, if Chelsea don’t pull it off and Liverpool blitz them in the early exchanges, the match could be over before half time.
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The Impact Subs – Ross Barkley vs Xherdan Shaqiri
Ross Barkley will likely need to settle for a spot on the bench after starting at Anfield in midweek but his potential impact on this game shouldn’t be overlooked.
Sarri is clearly fond of the England international, having included him in Chelsea’s early outings this season, and Barkley will always carry an extra motivation when playing Liverpool as an Everton academy product.
It’s not quite happened for him yet at Chelsea but Saturday’s clash could provide Barkley’s breakthrough moment for the Blues.
Liverpool fans finally saw the impact Xherdan Shaqiri could have this season last weekend when the summer signing dazzled in the first half of a 3-0 win over Southampton.
It won’t be quite so easy for the 75-cap Switzerland international away at Stamford Bridge but from dead ball situations especially, he could make a real difference for the Reds late on when there are tired legs and tired minds in Chelsea’s defensive third.
Liverpool lacked a real impact substitute last season but they’ve certainly found one in the former Stoke talisman, who can change the shape of Klopp’s midfield and the rhythm of the Reds’ attack.
