Liverpool were defeated by Chelsea 1-0 at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League, as the race for the top-four heated up.
A header from Olivier Giroud in the first half was enough to secure the points for the hosts and keep their hopes of claiming a Champions League spot alive.
Antonio Conte got the better of Jurgen Klopp in their tactical battle and here’s how.
STATS
CHELSEA
Goals – 1
Shots – 12
Possession – 32%
Tackles – 15
Dribbles – 10
LIVERPOOL
Goals – 0
Shots – 8
Possession – 68%
Tackles – 12
Dribbles – 5
30-SECOND REPORT
Conte
Chelsea were set up in a 3-5-1-1 formation with Conte clearly opting for a cautious approach despite the need to secure a win to keep their top four hopes alive. Eden Hazard featured in the space behind Giroud while Willian was benched in favour of having an extra man in midfield with Tiemoue Bakayoko getting the nod.
The hosts were able to weather the initial storm from Liverpool before gaining more control in the game, finishing with more shots despite their inferior share of possession. They came under pressure at the death but were able to hold firm.
Klopp
Since Philippe Coutinho’s departure, Liverpool have regularly opted for a 4-3-3 when the front three of Roberto Firmino, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane are all fit. It’s no surprise that they went for the same against Chelsea.
They failed to capitalise when they had the upper hand early on in the game and then struggled to create chances thereafter as Chelsea found their rhythm.
Tiemoue Bakayoko’s presence in midfield paid dividends.
TACTICAL TALKING POINTS
Conte
PACKED CENTRAL MIDFIELD
Willian’s absence raised eyebrows but congesting the centre with Bakayoko supporting N’Golo Kante paid off for Conte. To attack Liverpool, you first have to stop them – Jose Mourinho and Manchester United proved as much. With five across midfield, Chelsea were able soak up the pressure from the visitors early on, get a foothold in the game and then build from there.
In possession, Cesc Fabregas would step up from midfield and link up with Giroud and Hazard, attracting the attention of Liverpool players before switching it out wide to one of the wing-backs from where their best chances came, including the one for the goal.
Klopp
TAKING A STEP BACK
Liverpool’s fearsome front three are all about going for the jugular by getting in behind the opposition’s defence and being clinical in the transition. They weren’t allowed to do that at the Bridge as the hosts sat particularly deep and negated the pace the Reds have at their disposal.
Klopp’s decision to introduce Dominic Solanke for Andrew Robertson was the right idea as James Milner moved to left-back and Firmino dropped into a No10 role. Solanke was meant to hold up the ball and bring the trio behind him into play while also offering an aerial threat, but he wasn’t able to pull off either task effectively.
Throwing Solanke on didn’t pay off for Liverpool.
VERDICT
Conte
His tactics were spot on, there’s no two ways about it. The Italian’s constant instructions from the touchline ensured his players never eased up.
Rating – 8/10
Klopp
Found out again by another sophisticated defensive unit. He tried to tweak it in the final minutes but it didn’t work. Needs to have more tricks up his sleeve.
Rating – 5/10