Chelsea face Liverpool in the third round of the Carabao Cup this season, and despite the early call to play one of the most fearsome attacks in Europe, the game will show the Blues readiness to compete for titles this season.
The third round is effectively first round for most Premier League sides in the Carabao Cup as it is the entry round for the top flight teams. Usually, the big sides face either lesser sides in the top flight or the clubs from the Championship. But that was not the case for Maurizio Sarri and his boys when the draw was made on Thursday night.
The Blues travel to Anfield to face Liverpool. A daunting task that will strike fear into the hearts of many players but Chelsea’s should feel anything far from it. After a positive start to the season, winning three Premier League games consecutively, the Blues must continue to show why they are ready for to fight for titles, so early in the season.
One trophy was already lost when Sarri and co lost to Manchester City in the FA Community Shield and although the Carabao Cup isn’t a big deal in England, winning games in it and eventually carrying the trophy will lay down a marker for the rest of the sides in the top flight. There will be a true conviction, Sarri – who has never won a cup in his career – is ready to begin winning at Stamford Bridge.
His Sarri-ball should spell some sort of dominance on Liverpool on the night, but as we have to come to see lately with this Jurgen Klopp side, they are effective on the counter and will hurt any side that throw too many men forward.
The tactics will be discussed in detail subsequently, but the goal here is to win, nothing else but win and no stories later about how the team is growing slowly under a new boss.
