How Chelsea can prevent another rout
Frank Lampard must address Chelsea’s vulnerability to the counter-attack tonight to avoid a similar scoreline to the 4-0 defeat by Manchester United.
For the new head coach, whose side conceded three goals in transition at Old Trafford, the problem was down to the team’s shape and Lampard’s desire to rip up the patient passing script of last season.
Maurizio Sarri’s Chelsea retained control of the ball, and therefore the game, by patiently passing their way to the final third through structured play. The Italian also positioned bodies specifically to win back possession when turned over.
Lampard, who has switched from Sarri’s 4-3-3 to a 4-2-3-1, wants to play more direct, increasing shots and goal action, but it can leave Chelsea exposed defensively. On Sunday, when they lost the ball they were over-committed and open to counters down the middle. This is precisely what Liverpool are best at.
As Jorginho dropped between centre-backs in build-up play against United, and Mason Mount joined the forwards as a 10, Mateo Kovacic was sometimes the only player occupying the centre of the pitch (see above). United realised this and dropped deeper after half-time, sucker-punching Chelsea with lightning-quick breaks.
Lampard can correct this by pulling the wide forwards back to deeper starting positions and having the 10 closer to the other midfielders, even if it reduces passing options when trying to shift the ball quickly through opposition lines of defence.
If Chelsea do not change their approach, Liverpool will burst into vacant space time and again. They are far more adept than United at winning the ball higher up the pitch.