Sarri sings the praises of revitalised Brazilian defender Luiz

OF all the players to benefit from the tectonic shift caused by Maurizio Sarri’s arrival at Chelsea, David Luiz was about as unlikely a pick as anyone in the squad.

The unpredictable Brazilian (right) wasn’t supposed to survive the shift to a back four, playing a high line and taking high risks. They are ingredients which were expected to bring out the unreliable traits that were cocooned away in a protective shell during Conte’s 2016-17 titlewinning season, behind N’Golo Kante and Nemanja Matic and flanked by Gary Cahill and Cesar Azpilicueta.

Instead he has flourished, defending decisively against Liverpool’s threatening front three while launching attacks from deep, as Chelsea came close to beating Jurgen Klopp’s side before falling to a brilliant late Daniel Sturridge goal. Sarri had been warned about Luiz before he arrived at Stamford Bridge, yet his preconceptions have quickly been defied.

“He is much better than I thought before (I arrived),” said Sarri. “Much better, as a player and a man. I don’t know what happened before, but when I arrived immediately I had a feeling he is a very good player for my way of football as he is a very technical centre-back. I appreciate very much the man as he is direct. If he has to say something to me, he does that.”

It’s fair to say Conte didn’t take too kindly to that directness.

“I don’t know (why),” said Sarri. “But I like direct people. Very much.

“He was a little confused as two seasons ago he was a protagonist but then came six months without playing. So he was a little confused. I think he is very able to play my way with his characteristics.

“He understands the action of the defensive line very much.”