This weekend was one of the greatest in FA Cup history, as the top three in the Premier League, Chelsea, Manchester City and Southampton, all tumbled out. They all lost at home to teams much lower than themselves. Chelsea’s was the most ignominious of all, losing to League One side Bradford 4-2, having lead 2-0 for most of the first half.
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Liverpool didn’t fare much better, drawing 0-0 at home against Bolton Wanderers.
So, after poor weekends, and following a testy, tight 1-1 draw in the first leg, last Tuesday at Anfield, this game should provide action, both of the goalscoring and of the fight starting-kind.
Lineups
The teams should set out with the same lineups that we saw last week, with both seeking to not miss a chance for silverware.
Liverpool will use the 3-4-2-1 formation that has worked so well, with Raheem Sterling again as the lone striker. Sterling tore Chelsea’s back line apart last game, and with Steven Gerrard and Phillipe Coutinho, two great passers, behind him, you can expect the same.
Alberto Moreno and Lazar Markovic will be posted on the wings of the midfield four, playing as wingbacks. Lucas and Jordan Henderson will play center midfield, trying to combat the physicality of Chelsea. Sakho, Skrtel and Can, all of whom played surprisingly well in the first fixture, will play in the back line.
Jose Mourinho isn’t going to be resting anyone; this is an opportunity to trounce a rival and make a cup final. The same back line will slot in, although with the speed of Sterling and Coutinho to combat, Mourinho could call on Azpilicueta and Luis, in favor of Branislav Ivanovic at right back.
The midfield pair of Nemanja Matic and Cesc Fabregas will return, as Eden Hazard and Willian find their regular spots on the wings. Last Tuesday, Mourinho played the more defensive John Obi Mikel over Oscar, but the Brazilian will surely return, with a more attacking philosophy expected from Chelsea.
As always, Diego Costa’s presence will be appreciated. His goal scoring threat is massive, and he has physicality that can’t be replicated, especially seen in his fight with Henderson following the first fixture.
Key Point
Both teams have a lot to play for. Liverpool have had an incredibly disappointing season, with some suggestions that Brendan Rogers won’t keep his job. Rogers would love to beat Chelsea, a big rival, and get a chance to secure some silverware, the first of his two and a half year tenure at Anfield.
Mourinho isn’t taking this lightly either. He knows what a cup win can do for a team: as Brian Clough put it, “My players got the taste of champagne, and they liked it.” Winning the League Cup could inspire Chelsea to even greater heights this year, and now having been knocked out of the FA Cup, it has become the easiest way to silverware for the West London side, with City contesting the Premier League trophy heavily, and the Champions League as tough as always.
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This game could go either way on the quality scale, and it’s really in Mourinho’s hands. He could decide to dig in, and hope to nab a goal on the break, or decide to come out with Chelsea’s formidable guns blazing, and blast the Reds back to Anfield. Either way, the atmosphere will be tense, and it could end up being a classic in the rivalry.
Matchup to Watch: Diego Costa vs. Everyone
Costa likes picking fights. It doesn’t really matter with who, it just matters that they will fight back. Jordan Henderson and the Spanish-Brazilian striker will probably be the hot point, but anyone of the Red’s defenders could provide an opportunity for Costa. Watch Diego to look to get under Liverpool’s skin, before they get under his.