18 Yard Box has a look at the tradiotional top 4 clash between the Reds and the Blues.
Written By,
Abhishek Karandikar
Abhishek is a writer for 18 Yard Box.
One of the two big games
this weekend sees the two teams go head-to-head in what will undoubtedly be a
new twist in the race for the top-4 finish, while also providing a stage for
the Reds to meet their former manager in charge of the Blues.
Recap
The previous
fixture between the two teams was a high action 1-1 draw. John Terry made a
comeback of sorts from suspension, scoring for Chelsea, before injuring himself
while tackling Luis Suarez, who was on the scoresheet for the Reds.
 |
| Terry scored and all important goal |
Liverpool
The business end of the season sees a scrap
for both the relegation and the Champions League places. And while Liverpool’s
hopes for a top-4 finish are all but dead, they have always played for pride
(and to finish above Everton). Add the drama of ex-manager Rafa Benitez
visiting as the new Blues’ boss and we have got a Liverpool squad on a mission.
Injuries:
Liverpool face no new injury
concerns as such and have a fairly fit squad.
Strengths:
Liverpool have had an odd set of games in the
PL. They lost to Southampton, won against Wigan, Tottenham and the Villans
before playing out draws against WHU and Reading. 11 points in 6 matches has
done them no good. Their strengths have not been far too noticeable this
season, save for the class acts of Suarez, Gerrard and the new recruit Coutinho,
who have been a delight to watch. That said they have shown intent in attack.
Against Reading, they were thwarted by the individual brilliance of the
goalkeeper Alex McCarthy at the Madjeski.
Against the Spurs they completed a memorable comeback to secure a 3-2
win. While all else may fail, it is their attackers who have lent some credence
to Liverpool’s season.
 |
| Suarez is in red hot form |
Weakness:
Liverpool have not performed,
to put it bluntly, as a team, far too many times this season. They have been
listless, or absent from a match for periods of time in the game which has cost
them quite a lot. Allen in the defensive midfield instead of Lucas Leiva was
shred by the likes of Southampton.
Suarez’s strike partner Sturridge has not taken off as much burden from
the Uruguayan’s shoulders as was expected. While the midfield is doing well
currently, the performance of the team hinges on their talisman. The defence
hasn’t done anything spectacularly, even when it was heavily required. That
apart, neither Pepe Reina (surprisingly) nor his understudy Brad Jones have
inspired much confidence between the sticks.
 |
| He needs to do better |
Importance of a win:
3 points worth their
weight in gold. While the top-4 is now a glorious impossibility, a win at home
would keep their Europa hopes up for the time being.
Chelsea
They are the team who will gain
anything big, provided the game goes their way. With a game in hand on their
top-4 rivals Spurs and two on Arsenal, a win here will almost ensure their
presence in next season’s elite competition.
Strengths:
For
Chelsea, their new midfield is proving to be a great strength. And the group of
warhorses, Terry, Lampard and Cech though now aged are still going strong. The
goals have come in ones and twos, and Ba does score some spectacular ones. They
also have numerical strength in terms of games left over their rivals.
 |
| These three need to click |
Weaknesses:
Their away form has been torrid of late losing
to Man City, Southampton and even Newcastle. They have let in the opposition
far too many times inspite of leading. This has often cost them points they
shouldn’t have lost. The fatigue of Europa seems to be catching up though not
always. And that is a grave danger by itself. The squad rotation policy has seen even Terry benched. This has unsettled the team to a certain
extent.
 |
| The defense needs to shore up |
Injuries:
Chelsea have good news on this
front with Ashley Cole, Marko Marin and Gary Cahill slated to return for the
game after long injuries.
Importance of a win:
A rare win at the Anfield (they have lost 46 times out of 69), will
almost ensure their foray back to the Champions League. This will also be a
rather personal victory for Benitez, who still enjoys some support among the
Kop.
The Final Verdict
This game is expected to be even
and pulsating, and if both teams get their acts right, it
would be a game to
define the top-4 race. With both teams looking for the 3 points, and neither
willing to budge an inch, another 1-1 draw seems a likely prospect.
Liverpool-Chelsea: Statszone
Liverpool
|
Chelsea
| |
Games
|
33
|
32
|
W/D/L
|
13/11/9
|
18/7/7
|
Form
|
W-W-L-W-D-D
|
L-W-W-L-W-W
|
Points and position
|
50 (7)
|
61 (3)
|
Written By,
Abhishek Karandikar
Abhishek is a writer for 18 Yard Box.
Any Suggestions? Write to us on 18yardbox06@gmail.com
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