By Benjamin Magnusson.
Sunday’s long-awaited fixture saw first placed Liverpool travel to Stamford Bridge, seeking to avenge last Wednesday’s Carabao Cup defeat to third placed Chelsea at Anfield.
While both teams shared several similarities; both unbeaten in the Premier League while playing attractive attacking football imposed by their charismatic managers – they came into the match from very different places. Having started the Premier League season with a perfect 6-0-0 record, it seemed that the roller-coaster ride that is Liverpool had finally begun to settle down, as the team had transformed into a mature and confident side. At the other end, the Sarri-revolution had begun in the highest tempo with a 5-1-0 record.
However, this match would be his first real test – and it is safe to say that he passed! As a result of Liverpool’s ability to disrupt the Chelsea build-up through their intelligent pressing and positional play, Maurizio Sarri chose to adapt to his opponent whilst maintaining the main principals of his philosophy.
Chelsea lined up in a 4-1-2-3 formation: Kepa, Azpilicueta, Rüdiger, Luiz, Alonso, Jorginho, Kanté, Kovačić, Willian, Giroud, Hazard.
Liverpool lined up in a 4-1-2-3 formation: Alisson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson, Henderson, Wijnaldum, Milner, Mané, Firmino, Salah.
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