Summary and events: Chelsea FC – Liverpool – Played on 04/04/ 2023

Read about the recent match between Chelsea and Liverpool in the English Premier League, including insights on tactics, midfield performance, offensive struggles, and video technology controversies

Introduction:
The recent match between Chelsea and Liverpool in the English Premier League ended in a draw, showcasing the challenges faced by both teams this season. Despite Chelsea’s new interim coach Bruno Saltor and some promising performances from players, offensive effectiveness remains a concern for the team. Meanwhile, Liverpool, coming off a loss to Manchester City, looked to make adjustments to their form under coach Jurgen Klopp.

Tactics and Formations:

Chelsea played with a 3-5-2 formation, utilizing a triple defense and midfielders like Enzo Fernandez, Matteo Kovacic, and N’Golo Kante to control the game. Kante’s return to form after injury was evident as he moved vigorously across the field. However, the offensive duo of Joao Felix and Kai Havertz struggled to convert their chances into goals, reflecting Chelsea’s ongoing issues in front of the net.

Opportunities and Challenges:

Despite creating numerous opportunities and taking advantage of Liverpool’s defensive weaknesses, Chelsea was unable to capitalize. Kovacic missed two chances, and Havertz’s goal was disallowed due to handball after VAR intervention. Liverpool, on the other hand, showed resilience but struggled to create clear-cut chances against Chelsea’s defense.

Video Technology Controversy:

One of the key moments of the match was the disallowed goal by Havertz due to handball, which was a controversial decision involving VAR. This incident raised debates about the role of video technology in football and its impact on the game’s outcome. Some argued that the decision was too harsh, while others supported the use of VAR to ensure fairness and accuracy in officiating.

Midfield Performance:

Both teams’ midfielders played a crucial role in the match. Chelsea’s midfield trio of Fernandez, Kovacic, and Kante controlled the tempo of the game and disrupted Liverpool’s attacks. Kante’s energetic performance was particularly noteworthy, as he covered a lot of ground and won numerous duels in midfield. On the other hand, Liverpool’s midfield struggled to create clear chances, with Chelsea’s midfield pressing effectively and limiting their passing options.

Chelsea’s substitutions were made late and were ineffective, possibly due to Saltour not being accustomed to such a heavy task. The defense, led by Coulibaly, was able to intercept balls that came into the penalty area.

On the other hand, Klopp made several changes to Liverpool’s formation. Due to frustrating defensive performances against Manchester City, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson were left out in favor of Joe Gomez and Kostas Tsimikas. However, Gomez and Tsimikas did not perform any better, despite being less adventurous in moving forward.

In the absence of the patient Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip partnered with Ibrahima Konate in defense, while Curtis Jones filled in for Harvey Elliott in midfield. The surprise move was keeping Mohamed Salah on the bench, even though he has been in good form recently.

However, the changes did not have the desired impact as the midfield remained unchanged and had little effect on the game. Jordan Henderson tried to support striker Diogo Jota on the right, but Darwin Nunez’s influence on the left was nullified by Fofana’s energetic defending. As a result, striker Roberto Firmino was isolated up front.

If it wasn’t for Konate’s solid performance, Liverpool would have faced more defensive issues due to mistakes from Matip and poor coverage from Gomez and Tsimikas. Despite Chelsea being in control, they were unable to secure a victory due to a lack of decisive moments in their favor.