Kante is going to have to put in a hell of a shift covering and we really have to hope that left side holds up

On paper we look really lopsided in terms of defensive ability

We should not play Cesc Fabregas v Liverpool at our home ground.

comment by Blarmy (U14547)
posted 2 minutes ago
Kante is going to have to put in a hell of a shift covering and we really have to hope that left side holds up

On paper we look really lopsided in terms of defensive ability
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Agree, and that is why I chose AA over Robertson in my FF team this week.

Betting against us ey

That's how I actually bet tbf

Only time I've bet in favour of Chels was the CL win

Gonna be a big test for both sides. I think stopping Firmino will be key to your chances for the game.

Here’s hoping you don’t manage to

comment by Blarmy (U14547)
posted 13 minutes ago
Betting against us ey

That's how I actually bet tbf

Only time I've bet in favour of Chels was the CL win
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To be honest I can’t call the result. It could be any score. But I see us scoring goals so didn’t want to have two Liverpool defenders in my team. I gave it a lot of consideration, and for the same reason a your previous post, decided I would be better off keeping AA. Plus he takes great free kicks.

comment by Tiddles (U17634)
posted 2 minutes ago
Gonna be a big test for both sides. I think stopping Firmino will be key to your chances for the game.

Here’s hoping you don’t manage to
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I will eat my foot if it’s 0-0

Stopping Milner right now seems to the real key

Weird as that is.

He isn't the first English midfielder to have a renaissance in their 30s though I guess

comment by Blarmy (U14547)
posted 1 minute ago
Stopping Milner right now seems to the real key

Weird as that is.

He isn't the first English midfielder to have a renaissance in their 30s though I guess
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He always has a blinder agst us

It's why I really wanted to sign him

My real concern is when we don't have the ball, not been impressed in that aspect of the game so far. Jorginho will only be effective if the players around him make space to be able to pick up on his passes. Pool tend to press aggressively especially in the early part of the game. If our defense is able to ride their storm in that critical phase of the game, and able find pockets of spaces with quick passes, so to play around them, then we have chance of getting a result against them. That's easier said than done, considering how Pool approach the games.

I am more concerned about our full backs tbf, Azpi who by the way is great a defender, seems to struggle against speedy wingers, Alonso is not by any means quick himself, but he's always a goal great threat when pushing forward. Rudiger will be a big blow, if he is not available for this game. He's shown in the past that he can negate Salah threat, who tends to cut inside from the left position.

If Hazard and Pedro/Willian show a good from, they will be able to pin their full back in their own half, thus nullifying their threat. Similarly, both Kovacic and Kante will have a big role in the defensive ( providing extra cover for our fullbacks) and offensive phases, clinical with their passes to our forwards.

If we play well as a team then Jorginho will no doubt be among our best performers in this game.

today...we are going to learn that having two under achieving strikers just aint gonna cut it...

i'd seriously put Hazard up front with a free role, and back fill the midfield today

comment by SWTN - Judas is number 1 (U7916)
posted 31 minutes ago
comment by Tiddles (U17634)
posted 2 minutes ago
Gonna be a big test for both sides. I think stopping Firmino will be key to your chances for the game.

Here’s hoping you don’t manage to
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I will eat my foot if it’s 0-0
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0-0 or 3-3...

I reckon Liverpool will win 2-1. Hope Chelsea prove me wrong though. Chelsea just look too open defensively for Liverpool not to score a couple imo. I think you're right about the importance of the midfield battle and Jorginho being key though. If he can pull the strings, then Chelsea have a chance

Who are this wonder team we are playing today then ?,ohhh ! it's Liverpool,well their's a thing !, they are more worried about us ,than we are of them ffs.
We beat them a couple of days ago ,and we can beat them again.

comment by ism (U20893)
posted 45 minutes ago
Jorginho will only be effective if the players around him make space to be able to pick up on his passes.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

This is what I was thinking. It's just as much an overall test of Sarri's system and flexibility as it is of any individual component.

Despite Jorginho being the axis of your build-up, it's even more important that his teammates make themselves for the simple pass during Liverpool's phases of extreme pressing.

I didn't watch the midweek game, but I'd imagine Liverpool will be targeting one or two of the weaker passers today even more than Jorginho.

I imagine there'll be times Chelsea are better off going long and wide. Who your best long-range passer?

Nobody has posted that we can’t beat them. Are we wrong to recognise Liverpool as a very good team who are more established in the style of football they play that’s Chelsea are at present?

comment by it'sonlyagame (U6426)
posted 20 seconds ago
comment byism (U20893)
posted 45 minutes ago
Jorginho will only be effective if the players around him make space to be able to pick up on his passes.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

This is what I was thinking. It's just as much an overall test of Sarri's system and flexibility as it is of any individual component.

Despite Jorginho being the axis of your build-up, it's even more important that his teammates make themselves for the simple pass during Liverpool's phases of extreme pressing.

I didn't watch the midweek game, but I'd imagine Liverpool will be targeting one or two of the weaker passers today even more than Jorginho.

I imagine there'll be times Chelsea are better off going long and wide. Who your best long-range passer?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Luiz and Fab

Hi Biggish.

Is he sure to start? I'd feel uneasy about Liverpool pressing Luiz, but at the same time he could be key to Hazard and Willian/Pedro getting in behind Liverpool's press.

comment by it'sonlyagame (U6426)
posted 7 minutes ago
Hi Biggish.

Is he sure to start? I'd feel uneasy about Liverpool pressing Luiz, but at the same time he could be key to Hazard and Willian/Pedro getting in behind Liverpool's press.


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We all acknowledge there are risks with Luiz. But when he is on his game he is still our best CB imo, and apart from Azpi, only one who can hit long and accurate from the back. I am pretty certain he will start.

Comment deleted by Article Creator

comment by it'sonlyagame (U6426)
posted 20 minutes ago
comment byism (U20893)
posted 45 minutes ago
Jorginho will only be effective if the players around him make space to be able to pick up on his passes.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

This is what I was thinking. It's just as much an overall test of Sarri's system and flexibility as it is of any individual component.

Despite Jorginho being the axis of your build-up, it's even more important that his teammates make themselves for the simple pass during Liverpool's phases of extreme pressing.

I didn't watch the midweek game, but I'd imagine Liverpool will be targeting one or two of the weaker passers today even more than Jorginho.

I imagine there'll be times Chelsea are better off going long and wide. Who your best long-range passer?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Obviously either Jorginho or Cesc are very good at pin point long passes. Also, Rudiger and Luiz are not bad either. Not sure how Luiz will cope if pressed aggressively, whereas I feel quite comfortable with Rudiger.

I think Chelsea will win. You still have worldclass players like Hazard and Pedro who can decide a game.

The only positive for us is Moreno doesn't play.

Toddles, fat fingers. Sorry. Admin can you re-instate Tiddles post

In answer. Rudiger if fit. If not then Cahill