Chelsea demonstrated their struggles ahead of their UEFA Super Cup clash with Liverpool on Wednesday.
The Blues kicked off life under Frank Lampard with a 4-0 defeat at Old Trafford. Manchester United didn’t play particularly well for the 90 minutes, though, and Chelsea had their chances.
However, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side were ruthless with counter-attacks in the second half. Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford, and Daniel James all benefited as United put the game beyond any doubt.
The scoreline obviously gives Liverpool cause for confidence on Wednesday. But it’s the struggles Chelsea showed defending counter-attacks that puts Liverpool in the driving seat for the Super Cup.
That’s Liverpool’s speciality, after all. Jurgen Klopp has built a team to thrive on it, picking off teams with supreme pace and pressing.
United countered well but they lack the efficiency and structure of Liverpool. The Reds have been doing it for years at the highest level, after all, and the front-three thrives on it.
We saw Kurt Zouma panic in possession, Cesar Azpilicueta consistently bomb forward, and a lack of a shield in defence. All things Liverpool pray to face in their opposition.
If Chelsea play anything like they did at Old Trafford, Jordan Henderson will be lifting the UEFA Super Cup this week – providing they get their own defence right.
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