Chelsea vs. Liverpool: How the Blues Should Line Up in Capital One Cup Game
Chelsea and Liverpool's 1-1 draw last Tuesday was met with consternation by more than a few Blues supporters; after being eliminated from the FA Cup by Bradford City, however, those select fans may well have reevaluated their side's first League Cup semi-final result at Anfield.
As the second leg commences at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday, Jose Mourinho has an opportunity to wash the sour taste from Chelsea's proverbial mouth.
Though having a "championship six pointer" on 31 January vs. Manchester City, the Blues are likely to field their strongest XI in the League Cup.
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One might have thought, the FA Cup would serve as a platform for fringe players to stake their claim for more minutes—but that was hardly the case. Only Cesar Azpilicueta, Gary Cahill and Oscar seem candidates to reappear vs. Liverpool after their "disgrace" on Saturday.
Thibaut Courtois, John Terry, Branislav Ivanovic, Nemanja Matic and Diego Costa were all rested against Bradford, while Cesc Fabregas, Eden Hazard and Willian made appearances from the bench. Having just one opportunity to play at Wembley Stadium in 2014/15, all hands should be available to Mourinho on Tuesday.
Last Tuesday at Anfield, Chelsea arrived with the perceived intent to control the game defensively. Doing enough to earn a draw, the Blues hold at least 90 minutes to play in the manner they wish, in an environment—you would think—suits them.
The FA Cup saw Mourinho piece together an XI which had never played together, opposed against an organised Bradford side enjoying possibly the game of their lives; playing Brendan Rodgers and Co., this scenario will not be repeated. Chelsea's boss is sure to play a team familiar with each other, and familiarity—in football—breeds results.
Liverpool are likely to adjust their first-leg game plan at Stamford Bridge.
The Reds, in all likelihood, will not enjoy the possession-oriented game which saw them bombard Courtois' goal with shots in Merseyside. Provided Mourinho gives his team an attacking boost—potentially sitting John Obi Mikel for Oscar—Rodgers would counteract in midfield with more steel, taking away from his club's attacking impetus.
Should the former Chelsea assistant be unwilling to sacrifice his forward threat, an open game should suit the Blues better, as their first-choice options have been nothing short of terrific in the goals department all season.
What has been lacking from Mourinho's side in 2014/15 is defensive structure; already conceding 19 Premier League goals this year, when only 27 went past Petr Cech and Mark Schwarzer last season, there would appear some drawbacks to the more-attacking style found in west London. Terry positioned in the heart of Chelsea's defence may have slowed the Bantams' second-half progress in the FA Cup—the Blues not being able to cope defensively without their 34-year-old centre-back is a worrisome proposition.
Luckily for Chelsea, their long-serving captain should return vs. Liverpool, providing much needed stability and leadership at the back.
Whereas some teams who suffered defeat over the FA Cup's fourth round must wait another week to right their ships, Mourinho's club has little time to dwell on their banana skin: Liverpool are a dangerous outfit and one with little to lose—any loss of focus would simply compound an already major blow.
How the Blues line up, by way of personnel, is inconsequential—as any mixture of players should possess the requisite talent to reach Wembley; how Chelsea line up psychologically is by far the most important variable ahead of Tuesday's closing semi-final act.
*Stats via WhoScored.com; transfer fees via Soccerbase.com where not noted.
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