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The Premier League race is almost coming to an end with just about four match days left for most teams. For Liverpool, every game now counts for something as they’re in a straight battle with Manchester City for the title. They know fully well that they have to win every game they have and hope that City drop points along the way.
This will be Liverpool’s first Premier League title since the inception of the Premier League back in 1992. It is one of the titles that they have really craved for since then and they have worked to ensure they are within touching distance of it finally.
Their game against Chelsea will present one of their toughest challenges in their remaining fixtures. For Chelsea, their fight to be in the top four is also hotting up and they have to ensure they win this tie as well to keep up. Mauricio Sarri started the season well but somewhere along the way things started to go wrong and they haven’t really gotten a hold of their season thus far.
A win against Liverpool will be some sort of redemption to the eyes of their fans. There are some obvious battles that will be highly contested in this tie and whoever wins the most of these battles will likely end up winning the game.
Sao Mane Vs Cesar Azpilicueta
Sadio Mane has no doubt been one of Liverpool’s standout performers this season coming up with up to 17 goals in the league already. Even when goals dried up for their star man Mohamed Salah, he still kept of bagging them for his team.
With that form, rumours have started to float around that Real Madrid is having a strong look at him. Liverpool winning the League this season will be crucial for them retaining the services of this obviously talented Senegalese forward. In this game against Chelsea, Mane is going to come up against Cesar Azpilicueta.
The Spanish right-back hasn’t been his best self this season but is still one of Chelsea’s most reliable players and an outstanding fullback. The Senegalese will definitely have a tough time trying to get past Azpilicueta since the Spaniard is quite good on one-on-one situations.
The one that ends up winning this battle will be crucial especially if Salah isn’t in scoring form.
Eden Hazard Vs Virgil Van Dijk
One of the most anticipated battles here will be the one that pits Van Dijk vs Hazard. Hazard tends to start on the left hand of the front three at Chelsea but moves centrally when the game starts. Here is where he’s most dangerous and this is where he’s going to meet Van Dijk.
Van Dijk has been imperious this season and the fact that no single player in the League has been able to dribble past him shows how good he has been. Hazard will sure know that he has an uphill task against the Netherlands captain. And if his team is to stand a chance and win this game then he has to get past Van Dijk.
This will provide the world with a chance to see a truly world class forward come up against a world class defender. It will be a battle worth watching and how it turns out will have a huge bearing on the game.
N’Golo Kante Vs Georginio Wijnaldum
The two runners in the midfield in this game are obviously going to have a huge say on proceedings here. Kante will be the one tasked in keeping things in check and ensure that they don’t get overrun in the middle of the park.
If fit, Wijnaldum is the player that will be tasked running the midfield for Liverpool and covering every blade of grass on the field. They are most likely going to end up against each other in one box or the other or even in the midfield areas.
Here will be a battle of wits, strength and power; whoever comes out on top will have a huge say in this. Wijnaldum is much more creative and comes up with crucial goals from time to time. On the other hand, Kante is more defensive and will come up with crucial tackles and interceptions which will be important for his team as well.
Jordan Henderson Vs Jorginho
Liverpool fans may not really like their captain Jordan Henderson as he has often been criticized as a player who only passes the ball sideways. But the manager knows too well of his importance and that’s why there is more of him in Liverpool’s starting lineups in the title run in.
Against Chelsea, he’ll be the man tasked with ensuring that Jorginho doesn’t dictate the game. He [Henderson] is currently being played a little bit further than his deeper midfield role and that’s why he’s going to come up against Jorginho majorly.
Jorginho, on the other hand, is a smart player who quite appreciates dictating games from deep and creating chances for his teammates. He’ll have to move the ball quickly so as to avoid Liverpool high pressing game and hope to catch them on the counter.
If this battle lives up to the expectation then we’re in for a footballing treat like we haven’t seen in a long time this season.
Kepa Arrizabalaga Vs Alisson Becker
One strange battle that may end up deciding this tie though they will not meet each other in the field of play is the battle that pits the two keepers. Both these keepers came to the Premier League this season commanding high transfer fees in the process.
How they arrange their teams in this tie will go far in deciding which team ends up winning this tie. Also, how they clear their lines and how they build up play from the back will be crucial for their respective teams here.
Kepa, though young, hasn’t covered himself with as much glory as Alisson Becker has for Liverpool. The Brazilian came into the team and has brought about a sense of calm to the backline and ability to build well from the back. This has made Liverpool an unpredictable side and given them a new dimension when they are building from the back.
This battle here will be highly contested and whoever manages to shut down opposition players more and even create chances for his team will end up winning this battle.
