The missing link for Chelsea FC at Anfield: The Post-Op of the Chelsea vs. Liverpool match
Chelsea FC faced a relegation-threatened Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday in the English Premier League. It was a spirited performance by the Reds in front of their home fans, as they beat a disjointed Chelsea side by 2-0.
Manchester United’s win on Saturday against Wolverhampton Wanderers added to the pressure on Chelsea; anything but a win would have seen their 5-point lead at the top of the table cut short.
Fernando Torres led the attacking line for Liverpool, and was looking to improve on his scoring rate this season. Prior to the match, the Spaniard had only scored twice in 10 appearances for the Reds in the Premier League.
Liverpool started the match brightly and got their efforts rewarded when Torres opened the scoring in the 11th minute, by latching on to a well weighted chip from Dirk Kuyt.
El Nino scored his second goal on the stroke of half time when he cut inside on the edge of the penalty area, before unleashing an unstoppable curler. Petr Cech stood still as the ball flew into the top corner; it was one the best
goals of the season.
Torres, who had previously been linked with a transfer to Stamford Bridge, looked like he was back to his top form.
Chelsea, on the other hand, did not put on a convincing performance. They gave away possession cheaply and lacked the cutting edge passing to carve open Liverpool’s stout defence.
Although Chelsea attacked constantly after the half-time interval, they did not create many clear-cut goal scoring opportunities. Didier Drogba, who was substituted in place of Salomon Kalou, failed to pose a serious threat for
the Reds’ defence and Chelsea could not manage to score.
John Obi Mikel, Ramires, and Yuri Zhirkov were the men in the middle of the park for the Blues, and the midfield trio lacked composure and creativity.
Mikel is essentially a defensive midfield player and acts as a sweeper in front of the back four, while Ramires is a more like a box-to-box midfielder but lacks the physical toughness suited to the physical demands of the English
game. Zhirkov, on the other hand, is a left-sided player, and is only effective on the flanks.
Liverpool’s Lucas Leiva and captain Steven Gerrard dominated the midfield, and Chelsea sorely missed their vice-captain, Frank Lampard, and Ghanaian International Michael Essien.
Both midfielders add strength, experience, and inventiveness to the Blues game by setting up and scoring crucial goals; they registered a combined tally of 25 goals last season in the Premier League.
Carlo Ancelotti is optimistic about Essien’s fitness. He said, “He had a problem in the last game in the Premier League on his toe and was not able to play. I hope Wednesday he will be able to play.”
While commenting on the long absence of Lampard, the Italian manager said, “Frank Lampard will not be fit for Wednesday but I hope he will be back for Sunderland.”
Both Chelsea and United are involved in local derbies in midweek; the Champions face Fulham FC at home, while the Red Devils travel to Manchester City. Despite the loss to Liverpool, Chelsea are still 2 points ahead of United.
Tags: