Srećko Šijaković 
Chelsea has won over Liverpool 2:1, and it was very much worth watching derby match. A lot of tactics; the match really was competitive and full of good positions on both sides, mostly on Chelsea’s side.
The match was also very important for both sides. Chelsea needed points to come close to the top of the table and Liverpool needed to stay first and confirm their status as the first title challenger and the biggest contenders for the Premier League title. It ended with Maresca’s side beating Arne Slot’s side like in their previous meeting in May.
Firstly, Chelsea was defensively oriented in this match in terms of the line-up. In the first half, Garnacho was opened on the left side; he had many chances to pass. He was stopped a few times, but was also dangerous when he passed and dribbled.
As he attempted for a goal like an assist for an own goal against Benfica in the Champions League. He was smart in creating the space, movements, and positioning, and attacking the opponents in 1 in 1 situations.
After one of his attacks, he was trying to get a penalty, but it was the right decision not to give a penalty to Chelsea.
On the other side, Arne Slot has left Wirtz on the bench, as well as Ekitike, while Isak was on the pitch starting for Liverpool’s side.
Arne Slot insisted on a very strong midfield in this game, with Gravenberch, MacAllister, and Gakpo on the left wing as promising in the game, but his biggest mistake was playing Szoboszlai in the attacking midfielder position.
With so many options, he chose the Hungarian midfielders who lack football knowledge, play on stamina only, have weak shouting abilities, and have poor coverage of the defensive positions. Due to his weak agility and extremely poor performance.
But repays with a willingness and his enthusiasm, and playing with desire, and is highly motivated for football.
He could put somebody other, but he chose the Hungarian for this important football match for Liverpool. Arne was saving many players in the Galatasaray game played in the Champions League, so they can be fresh for Chelsea.
The second half has brought a much better Liverpool with possession and even dominating the play. Badiashile, Chelsea’s central defender, has been injured, so he was replaced with a midfielder, Lavia, who returned after injury. Soo Maresca was starting his risks here. The situation has started changing.
So Chelsea had only one central defender on the pitch, James has been playing as a central defender with the help of Gusto and Caicedo. He introduced Hato instead of Achampong.
Liverpool equaled with a very wise move by Isak, who assisted Coby Gakpo beautifully. Gakpo needs to be established as Liverpool’s first left winger choice. He should be Arne Slot’s big player for this season.
He can bring so much good to Liverpool. He needs to give Gakpo much more respect, credit for his play, and freedom in open play than he does with Sobozslai. Especially with much lower impact of Salah on the right winger position.
The turning point of the game
Then Maresca substituted Neto, Joao Pedro, and Garnacho for fresh Jamie Gittens, Estevão Willian, and Guiu. At the moment of this substitution, Liverpool’s destiny has been sealed. Joao Pedro has left the pitch and Guiuu entered in there.
Chelsea played way better after this; the players have started ruining the opponent’s defense with direct passing and combining while putting pressure on Liverpool’s midfield and defense sides with compact and dangerous counterattacks and fast running, and opening up on the opponent’s side in dangerous positions.
The offensive Chelsea players from the bench show the end for Liverpool. They had a few very great chances, but were stopped by the greatest efforts of Liverpool’s goalkeeper Giorgi Mardimashvili.
Chelsea was waiting for Enzo-Cucurella, and then Estevao
There was a situation in which Fernandez assisted Cuccurella, (Chelsea has been waiting for), who is alone on the left side, he throws the ball on the second post, where Estevao Willian tackles and shouts and scores the goal without giving time to Mardmiashvilli a chance to defend.
Chelsea, with this win, has helped their London rivals Arsenal to be the leaders on the Premier League table with Arsenal’s today’s victory over West Ham in the London derby. Liverpool has shown why they have been winning the game in the Premier League with soo hard efforts. So now we have another first favorite to win the league (Arsenal), with Liverpool no longer the first favorite to win the title.
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