Chelsea renew their rivalry with Liverpool on Friday night in a bid to ascertain their footballing supremacy. The two clubs have been at the forefront of the English football since the dawn of the new millennium and have provided us with a number of classic matches over the time. While a lot of nice words have been exchanged between the two camps in the build-up to the match, there will be no lost love once the referee blows his whistle to begin the proceedings.
While the hosts come into the game on the back of a rather timid display against Swansea away from home, the Reds were at their devastating best against Champions Leicester and given the abilities of the squads as well as the managers, we believe we have a cracking game on our hands.
Also read: 5 players who have played for both Chelsea and Liverpool
While the general team tactics will dictate the outcome of the game, there are numerous battles that would prove to be critical and here are our 3 key battles to watch out from the game on Friday.
1) Daniel Sturridge vs David Luiz
With John Terry ruled out of the game due to an injury, Antonio Conte has been left with no choice but to start the returning man David Luiz in the crucial game alongside Gary Cahill. As much as every Chelsea fan loves Luiz for his passion and determination, there are obvious flaws in his game that have been exposed in the past. One man who would be keen to put Luiz’s abilities as a footballer under the scanner is his former teammate Daniel Sturridge, who too returns to his former home.
The 29-year-old is a proactive defender who pulls no stops and has showcased an ability to be a real nonsense for the opposition attackers in the past. He has the pace, can tackle and is unafraid to put his body on the line for the cause of his team and these traits endeared him to the Chelsea faithful during the first spell.
However, Daniel Sturridge is no new boy to top flight football, having featured on more than 200 occasions in the Premier League and more importantly, having found the back of the net on 93 occasions. After struggling in the initial stages of his career, the Birmingham man rediscovered his mojo at Liverpool and will be keen to make Chelsea regret their decision to sell him in 2013.
2) N’Golo Kante vs Philippe Coutinho
N’Golo Kante has continued his fine form from the last season and has looked as Chelsea’s best midfielder for most parts of the season. His industriousness, ability to break the opposition’s rhythm with tackles and interceptions have lifted the weight of defensive responsibility from the shoulder of his attacking colleagues and the same has worked as a catalyst for the side’s improved attacking threat.
Renowned for not affording the opposition any time and space on the ball, the Frenchman will be up against Philippe Coutinho on Friday and will be hoping he can keep the Brazilian magician silent during his time on the pitch. After having begun the season in style by scoring two goals against Arsenal on the opening day, Coutinho has had a rather unimpressive time on the pitch.
Having gone missing on numerous occasions in the remaining matches, the Brazilian will be keen to allay any rumours suggesting that he might have to spend large durations of the season on the bench, given the performances of Sadio Mane, Daniel Sturridge, Roberto Firmino and Adam Lallana.
Despite being touted as a big game player, given his heroics against bigger names in the past, Coutinho will have his task cut out against the athletic and technically sound Kante and will need to put in one of his best performances to win the battle.
3) Diego Costa vs Joel Matip
We consider it unfortunate that Diego Costa’s antics draw more attention than his ability as one of the top strikers in the league. While he has been in the news yet again for his confrontational trait, the Spaniard already has four goals and one assist to his name this season.
The appointment of Conte seems to have had a positive effect on the player and he is back to demonising defenders for the greater benefit of the West London club.
Liverpool, on the other hand, will be hoping their recent recruit Joel Matip can live up to his reputation as one of the best defenders in Europe and keep the Spaniard under the wraps.
Matip is imperious in the air and has a sound positional sense and could prove to be a thorn in the flesh of Costa. The ball-playing defender, though, will need to keep his head on his shoulder and feet on the ground while dealing with a striker who does not shy from riling up the opposition.
With Costa in the picture, sparks are bound to fly and it remains to be seen how a usually calm Matip deals with him.
