Chelsea and Liverpool face an early test of how they will bounce back from an underwhelming 2022-23 Premier League season when they face off at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
The Blues finished 12th in the league last season, enduring a torrid time under three different managers. They have appointed Mauricio Pochettino to turn the club’s fortunes around, and after a positive pre-season, the west Londoners will be willing to transfer that form into the Premier League when the new campaign commences.
As for Liverpool, the Merseysiders will be looking to put their own disappointment from last season behind them, having finished fifth and missed out on Champions League qualification. They wrapped up their pre-season preparations with a 3-1 win over Darmstadt last weekend, although they look light in a few areas of the squad going into the new season.
Training at SB today! 🏠 pic.twitter.com/QbR1Ma5K7J
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 11, 2023
With a mouthwatering contest expected at Stamford Bridge, here are the key battles that could define the outcome of the game at the weekend.
Chelsea vs Liverpool – 3 Key Battles
#1 Mohamed Salah vs Ben Chilwell
Despite Liverpool enduring a poor 2022-23 season, Mohamed Salah stood out with 19 goals and 12 assists in 38 Premier League games.
The Egyptian has been one of the Premier League’s best players in the last five years, and his exploits in the final third have been sensational. He had a productive pre-season with the Reds, and an in-form Salah would be bad news for the Chelsea defenders.
Keeping Salah quiet in attack is an uphill task as he’s clever, direct and can use his pace to outrun defenders. Ben Chilwell is expected to get the nod ahead of Marc Cucurella at left-back for the hosts, and he will need to be defensively excellent to keep Salah at arm’s length from Chelsea’s goal.
The only player in #PL history to have netted in six consecutive campaign openers. 🇪🇬👑 pic.twitter.com/0P3Ukr85Q1
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 12, 2023
Given Chilwell is an adventurous left-back, Salah will need to fulfil his bit of defensive duties and track back when Chelsea are on the attack.
#2 Nicolas Jackson vs Virgil van Dijk
Optimism around Chelsea’s positive performances in pre-season has been punctured by the news that Christopher Nkunku will be sidelined for up to four months after undergoing knee surgery. In Nkunku’s absence, the onus of leading the attack and scoring goals for Chelsea should fall on Nicolas Jackson.
Signed from Villarreal in the summer, Jackson has thrilled fans and neutrals alike with his performances in pre-season, scoring twice and assisting another three. Strong, quick and with a great eye for goal, the Senegalese is perhaps Mauricio Pochettino’s most potent attacking outlet right now.
So, keeping Jackson quiet will be a challenge for Liverpool’s defence which will be led by none other than Virgil van Dijk, who has become the club’s new captain following the departure of Jordan Henderson.
There was a certain drop-off in Van Dijk’s performances during these past 12 months and, after blowing hot and cold throughout the pre-season, the Dutchman will be under huge pressure heading into the new season.
How Van Dijk and his fellow Liverpool defenders deal with the threat of Jackson will be an interesting watch on Sunday.
#3 Enzo Fernandez vs Alexis Mac Allister
Enzo Fernandez looks primed for a key role under Mauricio Pochettino and is expected to be partnered by Conor Gallagher in Chelsea’s midfield against Liverpool. With a keen eye for pass, confidence on the ball, anticipation and awareness to position himself perfectly in the middle of the park, the Argentinean will be central to how the Blues play this season.
Lining up for Liverpool against Fernandez will likely be his compatriot Alexis Mac Allister, who will be raring to make a strong impression on his official debut for the Reds following his summer switch from Brighton. Expected to operate in a deeper role than usual, playing as a No.6 for Liverpool as witnessed throughout the pre-season, Mac Allister will be aiming to dictate play and keep Fernandez busy tracking back towards his own goal.
With both talented, hard-working midfielders trying to cancel out each other, expect an eye-catching midfield battle between the two Argentineans at Stamford Bridge.
