Liverpool 0-2 Chelsea: post-match analysis

Liverpool 0-2 Chelsea: post-match analysis 
by editor Wong Yang and assistant editor Ervin Ang

Hopes dented, disappointment entered the scene. Jose Mourinho, with his renowned bag of tricks, led his London side to a stunning 2-0 victory over Premier League title hopefuls Liverpool. When the team lineups were announced, the answer to whether Mourinho would indeed field a weaker squad came to light. John Terry, Petr Cech, Gary Cahill, David Luiz, Ramires, Oscar, Samuel Eto’o and PFA Young Player of the Year winner Eden Hazard were not in the Blues’ lineup. Yet, a team of experience and strength, besides Premier League debutant defender Tomas Kalas, was fielded by Mourinho who once again played mind games. Liverpool named an unchanged team, albeit without the suspended Jordan Henderson and an unfit Daniel Sturridge who was left on the bench. As the Liverpool fans sang their club anthem “You’ll Never Walk Alone” with the same passion and gusto that has inspired their team to victories throughout the season, Mourinho took his seat in front of the Anfield faithful with a look of confidence despite the intimidation from the fanatic crowd. Ninety-minutes later, the world finally knew why he seemed so calm.

On paper, many pundits predicted a straight forward Liverpool victory. However, Mourinho had other ideas. Liverpool started the game on the front foot, dominating possession and passing in Chelsea’s half in search of an early goal that would ultimately give them the momentum to control the first half of the game. However, as minutes flew by, it became evident that Chelsea were determined not to concede an early goal to the home team. 

Playing for stoppages and through time-wasting, Chelsea successfully disrupted any form of rhythm that Liverpool could find in the game. The Londoners took forever to make goal-kicks, free-kicks and throw-ins -executing Mourinho’s sly tactics. Sly as Chelsea’s time-wasting tactics may have been, the Blues presented an incredibly well-organised defence, forever outnumbering the Reds when they made their advances towards goal. With Chelsea’s spot-on defensive efforts, the Merseyside team failed to find the space to spark off the imaginative runs and passes that have empowered them to overwhelm many teams this season. In fact, it was the away side that had the first chance of the match, trouncing on the counter-attack, with Ashley Cole driving a powerful shot at Mignolet, who managed to palm the ball to safety, much to the home crowd’s relief. At the other end, a Liverpool corner saw a chance created for left-footed Mamadou Sakho, who only managed to blast wastefully over the bar with his weaker right foot. He was the wrong man at the right place at the right time. 

Adding to Liverpool’s misfortunes, Reds skipper Steven Gerrard - of all people - miscontrolled a ball played to him by Sahko and slipped over, allowing a pouncing Demba Ba to snatch the ball away before pacing further upfield to skillfully slot the ball between Simon Mignolet’s legs, putting the visitors up 0-1. Gerrard, visibly distraught, could only look on and those watching were still in shock that the ever-cautious and nerveless captain had made a blunder that sent Liverpool one goal down. With a final minute of stoppage time in the first half left to play, the Liverpool fans began chanting Gerrard’s name with songs of admiration, but a quick Liverpool equaliser was not to be and Gerrard agonisingly walked off the pitch when referee Martin Atkinson sounded the half-time whistle. As the teams returned to the dressing rooms for their half-time break, questions surfaced over whether Liverpool could overcome their one-goal deficit, a situation that they have rarely found themselves in for a season where they have consistently dominated the first-half of their matches.

Liverpool emerged from the tunnel earlier than the visitors, visibly determined to make a come-from-behind victory. The Reds began attacking with more urgency, while Chelsea played hard to hold on to their slender lead. Despite having the lion’s share of possession, Liverpool could not find their way around the Chelsea defenseto convert opportunities into goals. Long-range shots were attempted by Gerrard, Allen, Coutinho and Suarez but none of Brendan Rodger’s men could really test the alert Mark Schwarzer. 

The Reds grew increasingly frustrated by their futile attempts on goal and the stubborn Chelsea defense continued to contain the home team. In their desperation to equalise, the Liverpool players’ focus suddenly withered, with the likes of Coutinho making sloppy passes and dribbling errors. The Reds were unimaginative in making runs and in taking shots while the atmosphere around Anfield was one of frustration. Suarez lofted a ball towards Schwarzer that lacked power and accuracy. Coutinho passed too far ahead of Glen Johnson, who was clearly irked by his teammate’s mispass. As if to reignite some hope amongst the Liverpool fans, Rodgers allowed Daniel Sturridge to replace Lucas in what was a substitution in favour of the attack. However, Liverpool’s every cross and every shot was blocked or cleared by the gritty Chelsea defense which looked more and more like a fortress. In response, the Reds constantly poured men forward, desperate to tie the game and Gerrard and Allen forced fine saves from Cheslea custodian Schwarzer, but the Liverpool players were still unable to craft chances in the congested Chelsea box. As the minutes ticked by, the Londoners persisted with their time-wasting techniques andx the notion of a loss at home began to loom over Liverpool. Suarez had one last chance in added time when the ball found its way to his feet, but Schwarzer quickly punched his volley over the crossbar. Liverpool were awarded with a slew of corners in stoppage time as Chelsea held on, clearing Liverpool’s hopeful long balls and desperate shots.

As the final whistle was about to be sounded, Chelsea put the dagger in Liverpool’s heart after Torres was sent free with not a single Liverpool defender in front of him as the Reds risky tactic of sending everyone forward finally saw them pay the price. With only Mignolet to beat, Torres selflessly set up Willian to tap the ball into the net for Chelsea’s second goal, a goal that sent Liverpool into greater anguish. A jubilant Mourinho ran down the touchline, celebrating as if he had won the Premier League, but that is not to say that he did not have reason to celebrate. In what was a highly-anticipated match, Mourinho showed off his position as a tactical mastermind.

Many football fans may argue that Mourinho played boring football, killing the beautiful game with defensive tactics. Brendan Rodgers was one to lament Mourinho’s tactics, commenting “We just couldn't find the breakthrough. There were two buses parked today, never mind one”. Like it or not, Mourinho’s defensive tactics worked like a charm. The Blues put up an impressive defensive performance and ultimately won the psychological side of the game through time-wasting. The young Kalas and Ivanovic made vital blocks and cleared dangerous crosses to deny Liverpool of any solid chance of scoring a goal. Liverpool must certainly get used to the fact that as the league leaders, teams they face will sit in defence, no matter how frustrating it may be for the Reds.

The win sent Chelsea two points behind Liverpool, who still top the table, but are threatened by a Manchester City side that is only three points behind them - after their 0-2 triumph over Crystal Palace - with a game in hand and superior goal difference.

Premier League table as of 29/4/2014