Graham Ruthven explains how Chelsea were given a rude awakening by Liverpool at Stamford Bridge, even before Andreas Christensen's crucial dismissal.
If this was an early gauge of whether or not Liverpool will be able to maintain the standards they set for themselves last season, as it was widely made out to be before kick off, Jurgen Klopp surely liked what he saw. On this basis, the Reds are once again the team to beat in the Premier League.
Chelsea have big ambitions, underlined by the signings made over the summer transfer window. The tactical questions they asked of Liverpool were very different to the ones posed by Leeds United on opening weekend, with Kai Havertz played through the middle and Timo Werner positioned out on the left. And yet the Reds once again had the answers.
While Jurgen Klopp instructed his players to go direct more often that they normally would have against Leeds United, he recognised the need to pass through Chelsea. Liverpool’s high press made the home side uncomfortable throughout, with three players positioned on the edge of the box for every Chelsea goal kick. It came as no surprise when Kepa Arrizabalaga passed straight to Sadio Mane for the second goal of the game.
Of course, the dismissal of Andreas Christensen at the end of the first half changed the dynamic of the contest. Chelsea had held their own until that moment, but there had already been signs of Liverpool’s superiority before then and evidence of why they might actually improve on last season.
The introduction of Thiago Alcantara for the start of the second half rammed home the adaptability and versatility Liverpool now play with. Klopp will always favour his trademark ‘Gegenpressing’ approach when he can, but when required the Anfield side can operate in a number of different ways. There is no obvious weakness to exploit. Klopp is now armed with a Swiss Army knife of a football team.
Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson have evolved the role of the full back, with Klopp building his Liverpool team around them as creators. But when made to create through the middle, Klopp now has Thiago to call upon to break open opposition defences. The summer signing might not have found the net or provided an assist, but it was through his orchestration that Liverpool made their man advantage count in the second half.
There is no doubt the Blues have strengthened their squad to the point where a title challenge isn’t beyond the realms of possibility, but what unfolded at Stamford Bridge on Sunday exposed just how far off the standard at the top of the Premier League Chelsea still are. It will take more than signings to make them champions.
Frank Lampard demonstrated a degree of tactical flexibility by using Havertz and Werner as a front two, but he still lacks the options, and maybe even the tactical grounding, to change his team’s spots from game-to-game in the manner Liverpool can. The movement of Roberto Firmino, Mane and Mohamed Salah suggests Chelsea still have a lot of training ground work to do in terms of their own attacking movement. It’s about much more than just throwing a group of talented players on the pitch and hoping they come up with something. That is, so far, what Lampard has done this season.
Liverpool are far from untouchable, as was demonstrated in the final stages of last season when the Reds took their foot off the pedal somewhat, but on the basis of this display the prospect of a new challenge, from Chelsea, coupled with the signings made over the past week, has seen them press their foot down again.
Chelsea will likely improve, with Lampard still to get a number of his summer signings on the pitch, but this highlighted how there is no guarantee that they will be able to catch Liverpool. Klopp has laid down foundations that go deeper than anything found in the transfer market.
For all the brilliant players Chelsea have bought this summer, they still lack someone like Klopp.
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