Arne Slot has a lot to consider during the international break after Chelsea defeated the Liverpool side for three consecutive times on Saturday, and a revelation from Marc Cucurella suggests that the shocking change could be offshore.
Estevao’s stop time goal secured all three points for Chelsea. Chelsea deserved a victory when Kudi Gakupo led a spectacular Moises Caseko strike in the first half before levelling visitors after the break.
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After Gakpo’s equalizer, both Benoit Badiashile and Josh Acheampong hobbled for Chelsea and put out six senior centre-backs through injuries, Gary Neville said in the commentary that “only one winner can be seen.” Still, it was Enzo Maresca’s side who continued his push before he was rewarded.
“There’s a lot done in Liverpool’s defensive work, but that’s not why they lost this game,” Neville said on his podcast. “They lost this game.
It would be really concerning for slots if he is targeted as a weakness, especially as highlighted by Kukulera after the game, as Mohamed Sarah has scored three goals this season and has supported three assists in 10 games.
“I think we deserve it,” Kukurera told Sky Sports. “We started the game very well, but the second half started again the right way. We need to improve on these things. But in general, I think we deserve this victory…
“Sarah knows he’s always ready to fight back, so he practiced it and the manager said that the space might be there (on the right side of Liverpool).
“We knew it was the last moment, but we continued our attack. I tried to make a final effort, and Enzo gave me the ball and I crossed for Estevao.”
Conor Bradley was easily exposed by Alejandro Garnacho without seeking Sarah’s support, and was hooked at halftime on the yellow card as he struggled to deal with only the Argentinians. And following Trent Alexander Arnold’s departure, the slot has yet to land on his favorite alternative.
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New Liverpool has already been “upset” with the Euro Giants and Anfield to give him the option to quit.
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Jeremie Frimpong was signed in the summer, but looks more like a winger, as he feared following his use as a right-wing back at Bayer Leverkusen. As in the case against Chelsea, it looks as if Bradley could be sent in every game he plays. And Dominique Zoboschlei isn’t on the right back.
“This is an obvious problem Liverpool has in the right back area,” Wayne Rooney said during the match that day. “Connor Bradley has escaped twice at halftime in his last two league games.
“They tried Dominique Schizoboschlei, but that wasn’t really going well for him. Jeremy Fripon was on the bench today, but tried three right-backs in seven league games.
“Chelsea saw it and exploited it. Liverpool’s backfoot was everywhere from time to time, but there were early warning signs.
“Bradley got the yellow card, and I’m sure that was a big factor in him falling at halftime. It was all season for Liverpool today, so it was a big problem.”
And given the lack of protection and Maresca’s clear plan to target that side for assistance, even if Liverpool’s right back is given, we need to wonder whether the best and easiest solution for Arne slot is to drop Sarah, the main cause of that problem.