Chelsea vs Liverpool

Despite falling away with a five losses in seven games from the end of January to the start of April, Chelsea have clawed their way back into contention for a Champions League spot just as the top four seemed to be settled.

With their run to the final of that competition distracting them and tiring already weary legs, Liverpool are limping across the finish line in the league, as draws against Everton, West Brom and Stoke deny them that confirmation of a spot for next year in Europes premier tournament without having to win it at the end of this month. Injuries to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Adam Lallana, Emre Can, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip havent helped in a squad lacking depth for the congested schedule.

Antonio Conte lined up in a 3-5-1-1 formation, with Thibaut Courtois in goal, a back three of Cesar Azpilicueta, Gary Cahill and Antonio Rudiger, flanked by Marcos Alonso and Victor Moses, a midfield of NGolo Kante, Cesc Fabregas and Tiemoue Bakayoko, and Eden Hazard playing off of Olivier Giroud.

Jurgen Klopp set up his team in the usual 4-3-3 formation, but with several changes having endured a tough game against Roma in mid-week: Lorius Karius remained, as did Andrew Roberton, Virgil van Dijk and Dejan Lovren, while Nathaniel Clyne came in at right-back as Trent Alexander-Arnold moved into the midfield alongside Georginio Wijnaldum and James Milner, and the usual front three of Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah ahead of them.

With their preference for deep defending and lots of cover, Chelsea would pose a problem for Liverpool at the best of times, so with the additional fatigue making it harder for Liverpool to cover ground and sprint as Klopps tactics require, Liverpool were always going to find it difficult to break Chelsea down.

And it was breaking Chelsea down that Liverpool had to do. From the off, Chelsea settled back into a deep 5-3-2 formation and forced Liverpool to play through them. The back five ensured there was lots of cover against Liverpools front three, with no space behind them for the pacey forwards to run into, while the three ahead of them ensured there was no space for Firmino to drop off into. With Hazard and Giroud blocking passes into the midfield and the three behind them keeping tight to protect the centre, it was difficult for Liverpool to even play it into the midfield, with the ball mostly moving from side to side around the backline.

Liverpool only real had one way to get around this: Alexander-Arnold would pull out to the flank and collect the ball close to the touchline. This had several benefits. Firstly, it allowed Clyne to push high up the pitch down the right and stretch the backline, safe in the knowledge that Alexander-Arnold was covering him. Secondly, it allowed Alexander-Arnold to pick up the ball in an area hes more used to playing in, meaning parts of his game didnt have to change and helping him adjust to a different role. Thirdly, it asked questions of Bakayoko, who was playing deep in his own half close to the defence then having to run out to the half-way line to close down Alexander-Arnold, while also leaving just the two midfielders to cover in front of the defence.