Florent Malouda calls for brighter starts away from home
Chelsea winger Florent Malouda has said his team must concentrate better on their trips away from Stamford Bridge, particularly in the early stages of away encounter.
Malouda's comments come after Chelsea were beaten 2–0 by Roy Hodgon's Liverpool side at Anfield Road on Sunday, 7 November.
Resurgent striker Fernando Torres scored both of Liverpool's goals, the first of which came with only 11 minutes played.
"I would say it reminded me of our bad start against Blackburn," Malouda told Chelsea's official website after the game, likening their early concession to their league game on 30 October, which Chelsea went on to win 2–1 after Benjani Mwaruwari's goal in
the 21st minute.
According to the Frenchman, the difference between the two games proved to be Liverpool's defensive coordination.
"Against Blackburn we had a good reaction and could come back into the game but against a good team like Liverpool who were very well organised and with the crowd behind them it was difficult to play."
All away games will be tough
Malouda, who joined Chelsea from Olympique Lyonnais in the summer of 2007, said that Chelsea will have to get used to battling teams desperate for a crack at beating the defending champions on their home pitch.
"We know it will be difficult all season, we are the champions and when teams receive the champions at their home it is a good opportunity for them to show they can achieve great performances against good teams. We have to be prepared for that, we deserved
to be champions and we know it will be tough this year, but it's not a problem because we have the squad to manage and can have good results and performances."
Chelsea's next chance to earn away points comes against Birmingham City on 20 November, before which they will host Fulham and Sunderland at Stamford Bridge, on 10 and 14 November respectively.
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