Liverpool vs. Chelsea: How the Blues Should Line Up in Capital One Cup Game
Chelsea's weekend could not have gone any better.
A comfortable 5-0 drubbing of Swansea City on Saturday was improved on Sunday with Manchester City dropping their third, fourth and fifth points in two weeks.
Jose Mourinho, though, will not be dwelling too much on the Premier League over the next week, as an FA Cup tie with Bradford City is sandwiched between two massive games against Liverpool in the Capital One Cup.
TOP NEWS
Madrid Fines Players $590K 😲
'Mbappé Out' Petition Gaining Steam 😳
Star-Studded World Cup Ad 🤩
No doubt flying from their demolition job in Wales, the Blues have another trip to Anfield on their schedule. Winning their last two matches of note in Merseyside, Chelsea seemingly have the blueprint to slow Brendan Rodgers and Co. down, but that's easier said than done.
The Chelsea team who beat Liverpool 2-1 in November cannot be fully replicated. Cesar Azpilicueta is injured and Thibaut Courtois' status in goal would appear doubtful. Mourinho has two more-than-capable reserves in Filipe Luis and Petr Cech and the duo are likely automatic selections.
Knowing cup competitions are a place where clubs can drop the struggles of league play, Liverpool represent a dangerous side. Chelsea must be cognisant of this and adjust accordingly. Ramires in central midfield should swing balance in the Blues' favour, with Oscar resting on the bench in case of emergency.
Ramires and Willian would give Mourinho pace and energy, while Cesc Fabregas pulling the strings from the No. 10 role—or even slightly deeper perhaps—could get Diego Costa and/or Eden Hazard into brilliant attacking positions.
Another place for shuffling could be found in central defence.
Kurt Zouma was given a rest against Swansea City, after starting two consecutive games against Watford and Newcastle United and starting every Capital One Cup game so far, so the 20-year-old Frenchman should maintain his spot. That said, football is not always equitable, and Mourinho could see Zouma as an option for Bradford City on Saturday, and he may play his preferred partnership of John Terry and Gary Cahill.
Not opposed to starting younger players in the hotbed of Anfield, though, as seen by Tomas Kalas' 2014 performance, what Mourinho elects to do at centre-back remains shrouded.
Falling behind in their Premier League fixture to an Emre Can deflected goal, Chelsea's holding midfielders must be wary of the Reds' marauding runners. Whether Raheem Sterling, Adam Lallana or Jordan Henderson, Liverpool have the requisite pace to bother defences.
Playing the first leg away is never an advantage; if teams are deadlocked after the second leg, the visiting side has an extra 30 minutes to score an away goal. It is imperative Chelsea return to west London with at least one goal, as a lapse in concentration at Stamford Bridge would count double.
Branislav Ivanovic, Nemanja Matic, Terry, Cahill, Zouma and Costa should play a major part in their attacking efforts.
Simon Mignolet has not been the most dependable of goalkeepers this season, likewise Liverpool's back three, four or five. The power, height and tenacity Mourinho has in his squad should take advantage of set-piece opportunities against an admittedly weak Reds defence.
In something of a cliche: A two-legged affair cannot be won over the first 90 minutes. It can, however, be lost. Both sides will start slowly Tuesday, but whichever club finds the gas pedal first should place themselves in good stead come 27 January.
*Stats via WhoScored.com; transfer fees via Soccerbase.com where not noted.
.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
