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The English League Cup may have lost its glamor in recent seasons, especially early in the season, simply serving as a playground to allow clubs to give a few minutes to their less popular players. On some occasions, however, the Carabao Cup offers moments of absolute fascination – though Derby County's impressive victory at the Old Trafford stole the show on Wednesday, the epic tactical clash between Jurgen Klopp and Maurizio Sarri was decided by individual brilliance. a certain Belgian playmaker.
Chelsea beat Liverpool 2-1 to secure their place in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup, but the game was balanced for a good 90 minutes. The visitors had started in strength – their trio of Cesc Fabregas, Ross Barkley and Mateo Kovacic in the midfield circling Fabinho (who had his first start) and Naby Keita. Fabregas has been on the sideline since Sarri's injury following the injury, but the Spaniard has more than proven his value in the role designed for Jorginho, assuring Chelsea fans that the team's style will not be affected by the rotation.
Eden Hazard of Chelsea celebrates the winning goal of the Carabao Cup. Reuters
The Fabregas ball over Liverpool's defense should have given Chelsea a quick lead, without Alvaro Morata's indecision in front of goal. The visitors nearly outclassed the Reds in the first period, but the first goal of the match fell on Daniel Sturridge, who scored in his ninth consecutive League Cup appearance.
The opening match against Liverpool was held against the tide but allowed Klopp to take flight, luck after opportunity to beg the local team, some thanks to the skills of Willy Caballero as a shooter, while others because of Liverpool's lack of precision in front of goal. Chelsea equalized shortly thereafter by Emerson although VAR played his controversial role in maintaining the goal. The equalizer may have leveled the pitch, but Klopp's team was still at the top. The Reds, defensively exhausted, however, did not have an answer for the extraordinary Eden Hazard, the playmaker Chelsea. Just when it seemed that the match was going to give rise to penalties, the Belgian changed the course of the match in a suave gesture, reminding that not only is he the best in England, but probably among the top three footballers of the world. world.
Hazard picked up the ball in the middle of the field, played a quick one-two and overtook four Liverpool defenders to put the ball in the far corner and clear the way for Chelsea for the next round.
Although Chelsea's victory ended Liverpool's one-hundred-percent record, it does not matter to the Premier League race, as both clubs have made a lot of changes to their home team.
"I do not think it will have a big impact, to be honest. Of course, we are very happy and we will enter the match with a good feeling, but Saturday will be different, "said Gianfranco Zola before adding" to be honest, this match was very tight, they played very well Well, they could have won and they had the chance to win. "
Klopp praised Sarri's influence on this side of Chelsea as "the biggest change I've ever seen in such a short time" and his respect for the former manager of Naples has not slipped after the match.
"It was a difficult match for both sides. They have a specific style of play, it's cool and you have to get used to it. Minute per minute, we were more used, even at the beginning, when we had left too many places open and things like that could play between the lines, we already had a better chance. I would say that they were not really a big threat. More and more we got used to it, "Klopp told the press after the match and Liverpool's acclimatization to Sarriball makes the weekend's competition even more appealing.
Liverpool will have their first choice of eleven on Saturday, and the polarization match should take place in midfield. Like their appearances at the Coupe de la Ligue, pressing will be essential for both teams. If Georginio Wijnaldum's presence alongside Jordan Henderson and James Milner strengthens Liverpool's midfield momentum, visitors to Stamford Bridge will also find that restricting Jorginho to disrupt Chelsea's flow will be more difficult than Fabregas's , who served as a midfielder midfielder at Chelsea midweek.
The battle between Alisson and Kepa Arrizabalaga is undoubtedly the most awaited – none of them were part of the starting lineup on Wednesday. The clash between the two most expensive goalkeepers in the world will not only decide the defensive performance of their teams, but also their rear focus, because Alisson is already a success in his new home, but even the youngest Kepa's constantly improved every appearance of Chelsea.
That being said, the Liverpool defense should look sharper than Wednesday – the presence of Virgil van Dijk at the heart of Klopp's defense is a calming influence on the entire bottom line. The replacement of David Luiz in the League Cup has added another dimension to the Chelsea game and the energetic Brazilian has become a key player in Chelsea, Sarri. The unpredictability of Luiz and the bad shape of Azpilicueta are however likely to play in the hands of Klopp, whose best assets are his attackers.
Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane – wide options – are as devastating as Hazard and Pedro at all times, but it is the presence of Roberto Firmino across the center that elevates the Liverpool attack to a sublime level. As the world witnessed Hazard's prowess, operating at its best, the League Cup match proved that a spark of individual genius was enough to change the course of a knockout match.
Liverpool in the Premier League, however, is a completely different proposition, as they remain one of the true contenders for the Premier League this season alongside Manchester City, while Maurizio Sarri's Chelsea are the underdogs.
It will take more than the haunting delicacy of Hazard or Sarri's systemic ability in Chelsea to present a realistic case of their aspirations. Liverpool, however, remains on the verge of finally living years of waiting.
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