Rafa Benitez unveils Liverpool's new game plan: Copy Wigan

04 October 2009 19:56
When Rafa Benitez welcomed his friend and fellow Spaniard RobertoMartinez to Premier League management during the summer, it was hard toimagine that within weeks the master would be studying the pupil. [LNB]Yet, that is what has happened ahead of Liverpool's first Big Fourconfrontation of the season, against Carlo Ancelotti's Chelsea atStamford Bridge today. [LNB] Keep Chelsea down: Rafa Benitez (left) copying Roberto Martinez's gameplan[LNB] Chelsea's great start cannot mask flaws that will wreck their title bidCHELSEA FC: All the latest news from across the webLIVERPOOL FC: All the latest news from across the webGARY LINEKER: Liverpool missing the X-Factor: Xabi Alonso's absence is reason they don't get my vote for title[LNB]Liverpool's players spent part of yesterday at Melwood looking at a DVD of the way Martinez's Wigan dismantled Chelsea 3-1 last weekend. [LNB]'I watched a recording of the game and my staff compiled clips for my players to analyse,' said Benitez. [LNB]'Wigan had a very good gameplan and made it difficult for Chelsea. Yes, we can learn from it even though our players are different to Wigan, more technical and not as physical. [LNB]'I know Roberto, so I knew what he was thinking for that match. We have looked at the way Chelsea defended, how they attacked, how they were at set-pieces. And we have used it in our training.' [LNB]Benitez has made it a priority to make sure his side are not overrun by the Chelsea machine headed by Michael Essien and Didier Drogba. [LNB]The canny Liverpool manager, who masterminded Chelsea's first home defeat since 2004 last October, is putting huge importance on the return of Javier Mascherano from a hamstring injury after missing the Champions League defeat at Fiorentina and may also use Steven Gerrard in a deeper role. [LNB]'This game is ideal for Mascherano,' said Benitez. 'Chelsea like to pass the ball along the floor and Mascherano is a worker. He can regain a lot of the ball. [LNB]'We have used Stevie close to Fernando Torres in away games as we thought they could be dangerous. But we have to look at what happened against Fiorentina. [LNB]'It won't be a problem for Stevie. He is pleased to play as a second striker or a midfielder.'[LNB] [LNB]  Explore more:People:Rafa Benitez, FERNANDO TORRES, Carlo Ancelotti, Javier Mascherano, Roberto Martinez, Michael Essien, Didier DrogbaPlaces:Liverpool

Source: Daily_Mail