An Premier League Match review
Two of the elites were involved, but none looked the part. Liverpool has looked ragged and Chelsea terribly out of sorts this season. A look at the table would tell the story of their current predicament. This outing at Anfield was sadly a continuation, an indicator that the managers have quite a task at hand.
It was evident from the start that all the managers wanted was to steady their wobbling ships before being able to get back to their normal routines. In any other year in the last decade or so, this would have been a feisty football match played out at dazzling speeds and often in the final third. Given their struggles, this one looked more like a mid-table, average football game.
Chelsea started brightly, and had the ball in the goal in the third minute, only to be denied by VAR for offside. They looked brighter and more on the move while Liverpool kept losing their defensive shapes and was struggling to clear their lines. This was a pattern that repeated itself for almost the whole of the match. Chelsea looked more likely to score while Liverpool looked fragile. Allison saved a few, while Kepa had very little to do. It was a nothing match, a reminder that form is fickle and in the modern football game, the crests can come as fast as the troughs.
At the end of it, as the players walked away, it was almost with a look of resignation. A dreary day at the office, where getting home without losing was probably the highlight. It was probably Mudryk’s debut that this match can be remembered for. The brief glimpse promises much. The Ukrainian looks the real deal, and would, if things fall in into place, create quite a stir. He is fast and lightning fast at that, is skillful and the defenders in Premier league are in for a few torrid years.
The Reds look underwhelmed. Their transfer moves have been baffling at times. Signing strikers in situations where the midfield looks haggard, and the defense a bit unorganized, is unusual for Liverpool. Injuries have played their part and Van Dyke and Jota’s absence coupled with Mane’s departure has broken their stride.
Chelsea’s woes are pretty clear, their defense has been poor and the attack is just not living up to its reputation. But they seem to be moving to address the issues. They now have spent a lot of money and their squad, though seemingly expensive has got all the ingredients that can make them the Chelsea of the past. What needs to be watched is how they go about it. In Graham Potter, they have someone who can get it all together.
It is just time that Chelsea needs. Liverpool needs both time and some smart moves.
They might be down at the moment, but they definitely aren’t out.
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