Source: Telegraph
Talking tactics: Liverpool v Chelsea
How did Benitez outwit Scolari at The Bridge?[LNB]When Liverpool ended Chelsea's unbeaten run at Stamford Bridge this season the tactics used by Rafael Benitez worked perfectly. [LNB]Without the injured Didier Drogba, Liverpool's back four dropped to the edge of their own area, comfortable that Chelsea's attackers would not beat them in the air . By playing so deeply, it also denied Nicolas Anelka the space to make penetrative runs behind Liverpool's defence, making him less effective. [LNB]Benitez also crowded the midfield area by playing two holding midfield players and getting his wide players to come infield when the ball was on the opposite side. This gave Frank Lampard, Deco and John Obi Mikel no room to play their intricate passing combinations that had destroyed many teams at the beginning of the season. [LNB]Although it allowed Ashley Cole and Jose Bosingwa plenty of ball, their crosses came from deep positions, against which Liverpool were well equipped to defend. [LNB]Liverpool's counter-attacking strategy also proved effective with Robbie Keane up front and Steven Gerrard playing in a free role behind him. [LNB]Whenever Chelsea attacked, those two found space away from their markers in wide areas, particularly when Cole and Bosingwa had advanced. As soon as Liverpool won possession they immediately tried to find Keane or Gerrard, while Albert Riera and Dirk Kuyt, Liverpool's wide players, raced forward in support. The energy and tactical understanding of those four players was outstanding. [LNB]Such is the conservative nature of Benitez, I'm sure he will use similar tactics today; hence the omission of Riera and Kuyt from the starting line-up at Wigan. However, he will need to get his team to play 15 yards further forward if Drogba and Michael Ballack are selected for Chelsea. Both have the capability to get on the end of crosses from deep. [LNB]How do Chelsea deal with Gerrard?[LNB]Gerrard 's credentials are well known – he knows how to find space, he has the dynamism to get away from tacklers and the vision to play defence-splitting passes. He also has a great understanding with his wide players, particularly Ryan Babel. As soon as a wide player comes infield to support the striker, Gerrard drifts wider to receive passes and deliver pinpoint crosses. Unfortunately for Liverpool, Fernando Torres is lacking the sharpness to capitalise on Gerrard's incisive passes at the moment. [LNB]Chelsea will not man-mark Gerrard but hope that Mikel organises those around him so that the England international is never unmarked. Mikel must deal with him centrally, either full-back when he drifts wide and one of the centre-halves when he breaks forward. That may sound simplistic, but to be successful it requires immense concentration and good communication. Mikel is key today. [LNB]How do Liverpool cope with Lampard?[LNB]Liverpool will need to be equally aware of Lampard. If his marker drops off, to give himself time to track Lampard's forward runs, Benitez knows the Chelsea midfielder has a potent shot from distance. If his marker gets too tight, Lampard has the intelligence to run beyond him into the box. He is also brilliant at manipulating the ball sufficiently away from opponents to shoot with either foot. [LNB]So Liverpool, just as they did at Stamford Bridge, need to negate him by reducing the space between their midfield and defence and staying narrow when Chelsea attack . The centre-halves need to be aware of his runs into the box, midfielders need to press him as soon as he gets into shooting positions and covering players must recognise when he is about to evade the first challenger. [LNB]Does Scolari gamble on Drogba?[LNB]No matter how good those two players are , the most important player today is Didier Drogba. He makes the difference between Chelsea being a great team or just a good one. What a shame then for Scolari that he cannot be sure about the Ivorian's attitude, because if he is picked and motivated, Benitez cannot gamble on defending so deeply. Liverpool can be as compact as they like but if they allow crosses to come into their box and Chelsea get players to make runs in support of their centre-forward, Benitez will need to change his game plan. Will Scolari be able to inspire his temperamental forward enough to justify picking him? [LNB]Prediction Chelsea by a goal [LNB]
