Blog: Chelsea win the blueprint for Reds against City
In our latest fan blog, Donovan Chandler explains why Liverpool could benefit from the blueprint that defeated Chelsea last month when they take on league leaders Manchester City this evening.
Jürgen Klopp has wasted no time endearing himself to the red half of Merseyside. He's not only one of football's nice guys, but the German is a manager with the pedigree to suggest he can be the man to take Liverpool back to the pinnacle of English football.
As with any new job, he's faced a challenging start. The former Borussia Dortmund coach has reinvigorated a squad of players struggling to find their way, though the rewards haven't quite been reaped on the field on a consistent basis just yet – results-wise, anyway.
Klopp's methods will take some getting used to, a share of the members of the squad have yet to recover from injury and in the long-term, players will come and go. But we've already seen suggestions that the new-look Liverpool isn't too far from showing up.
There's no better example of everything coming together than the day where Klopp achieved his first Premier League win as manager of the Reds. On the final day of last month, Liverpool paid a visit to Stamford Bridge to face Jose Mourinho's reigning champions, Chelsea.
Granted, Chelsea are not quite enjoying their finest season in the Premier League. For whatever reason, things have yet to click for them, but earlier on in the campaign they'd swept title contenders Arsenal aside on their home patch with a degree of ease. Big players respond in big matches and despite their form, the Blues were considered favourites to turn Liverpool over.
As you may well remember, that's not quite how it turned out. Ramires' opener condemned us to an early deficit, but that was quite literally as good as it got for the home side.
Klopp's team responded with their finest performance of the season, playing Chelsea off the park with a total display of authoritative, possession football. Our confident high line meant the Blues spent most of the match camped outside their own penalty area, and Liverpool's players recycled the ball for fun.
Of course, one would have expected Chelsea to be tough to break down in such a state. But as already mentioned, big players respond in big matches; and Liverpool boast their share too. Two moments of sheer brilliance from Philippe Coutinho reversed the scoreline either side of half-time, before Christian Benteke added a third in the final minutes. A proud day it was.
It was proof that Liverpool – even just a few weeks into Klopp's reign – can get it right when it matters. Though perhaps our most challenging test of the entire campaign awaits us this evening, as the players look to contend with league leaders Manchester City on their home turf at the Etihad Stadium.
Manuel Pellegrini's side are having few problems in comparison to Chelsea this season, but Liverpool have every reason to take confidence from their previous away win going into their latest trip.
The foundation has been set, tactical methods are starting to become familiar and our injury troubles are starting to ease. Daniel Sturridge has declared himself ready to return and could be unleashed whether it be from the bench or from the start, but no matter who takes their place on the pitch Liverpool must retain that confidence from the Chelsea victory for this encounter.
Klopp's side have already proven they have the capability of winning matches in the toughest places, and remembering that on Saturday could be key to a potential victory.
For more Liverpool fan views or to join the conversation, visit www.90min.com.