Last time they played, it was 5-3. Fabinho is at center back. Thiago is on the bench. Mason Mount is … still in the starting eleven. Should be fun, and while I might not be as talkative as normal, I will be here this time around. Feel free to get things started whenever you want, but I’ll be in the chat a few minutes before kickoff.
Looks like Lampard realized that Havertz shouldn't be on the wing. Him in the middle and Werner on the left scares me way more if I'm a Liverpool fan (which I am).
All right! That was boring? Thiago came on and halftime and completed 17 more passes than any Chelsea player over 90 minutes. Thanks for everyone who hopped on -- and for all the kind words. We'll do another one soon.
I do think that this second half has been an example of the difference between City and Liverpool. City would be up by more and just pouring on the shots. Liverpool quickly scored twice and then just haven't done that. I'm not sure Liverpool could do what City do, but I definitely think they dial back the pressure once they feel comfortable with a lead. Could come back to bite them at times, but I do think it's a choice.
I have a theory that the number of touches you take with the sole of your foot is directly correlated with your quality as a midfielder. Thiago proves that I'm right.
This isn't exactly right, but the value of a first-minute red card is about 1.45 goals. Cut that in half for the Christensen card, then it's worth 0.73 goals. Was the likelihood of Mane scoring from that situation more or less than 73 percent?
Having watched a lot of Havertz last season at Leverkusen, would love to see what a nominal 4-2-3-1 with Havertz in the middle of the three behind Werner would look like. Feel like his potential contribution is marginalized being deployed on the right.
Obviously as far as fitness Chelsea don't have the squad for that today - would like to see Pulisic on the left/Ziyech on the right - but I think it's at least an interesting idea. Would be interested to hear what others (especially Chelsea fans) think about this, especially as regards the best partner for Kante in the 2 in front of the back four.
Ryan, any concern with Firmino’s relative lack of attacking output over the past year or so, or not worried given everything else he does vis-a-vis defensive work rate, link-up play, etc?
Serious question: what does Lampard see in Mason Mount? .23xG90, .16xA90, 1.6 key passes per 90, doesn't seem to contribute much defensively. That all seems to be squarely meh
Doesn’t this feel awfully similar to what City did last year with Fernandinho? Why not resign Lovren? I understand fans didn’t like him, but he’s a quality 4th option. What happens if Fab or Virg get injured? Bring up a kid or go get a real CB...
Can't imagine what it's like for Thiago to get to play with his idol, James Milner.
I officially feel really bad for Kepa now.
Not a huge test in the second half, but Fabinho has been fantastic today.
#ThiagoOut
Thiago's per-90 plus-mins is plus-18.
LFC are a man up in a game they were already controlling pretty aggressively. This is setting up pretty nicely for a Thiago debut, huh?
Looks like Lampard realized that Havertz shouldn't be on the wing. Him in the middle and Werner on the left scares me way more if I'm a Liverpool fan (which I am).
All right! That was boring? Thiago came on and halftime and completed 17 more passes than any Chelsea player over 90 minutes. Thanks for everyone who hopped on -- and for all the kind words. We'll do another one soon.
I do think that this second half has been an example of the difference between City and Liverpool. City would be up by more and just pouring on the shots. Liverpool quickly scored twice and then just haven't done that. I'm not sure Liverpool could do what City do, but I definitely think they dial back the pressure once they feel comfortable with a lead. Could come back to bite them at times, but I do think it's a choice.
It's happening ... https://twitter.com/LaurensJulien/status/1307718895319609345
When are they rebooting Twilight with my boy Havertz? He's got the textbook complexion and body-type of a tortured vampire
Pretty nerdy piece, but thought this was a good framework to use to watch teams during more advanced build-up play. It was especially stark with Tottenham today -- they have no shape whatsoever -- but it's interesting to see the differences today, too. https://spielverlagerung.com/2020/09/18/analysing-manchester-citys-attack-structural-considerations-and-variations/
Zero shots for Chelsea, 20 minutes in. Based on the games from the other big London clubs this weekend, they're going to win easily.
Chelsea fans/observers: Would you rather have Kepa or Karius?
omg jorginho just died
I have a theory that the number of touches you take with the sole of your foot is directly correlated with your quality as a midfielder. Thiago proves that I'm right.
Incredible ball by Wijnaldum to TAA. Great vision, technique.
Lampard's running a Barkley-Kante two-man midfield for the final 10 minutes. This should be fun.
That was the first pk Alisson has saved for Liverpool.
The journalist in me: This could end 4-0, maybe 5-0. The Liverpool fan: Really need a third goal to feel comfortable.
Is Henderson injured? My Peacock (jesus) stopped working for a few minutes.
Little stat update at half:
xG: Chelsea 0.5, Liverpool 0.44
Shots (OT): 1 (0), 8 (2)
Final-third passes: 15, 62
Penalty-area passes: 1, 7
This isn't exactly right, but the value of a first-minute red card is about 1.45 goals. Cut that in half for the Christensen card, then it's worth 0.73 goals. Was the likelihood of Mane scoring from that situation more or less than 73 percent?
Red?
Always appreciate Lee Dixon on comms. This gem from one of yesterday's matches:
Arlo: “Gary Lineker, what happened to him?”
Lee: “I think he’s selling crisps or something”
Predictions, anyone?
Having watched a lot of Havertz last season at Leverkusen, would love to see what a nominal 4-2-3-1 with Havertz in the middle of the three behind Werner would look like. Feel like his potential contribution is marginalized being deployed on the right.
Obviously as far as fitness Chelsea don't have the squad for that today - would like to see Pulisic on the left/Ziyech on the right - but I think it's at least an interesting idea. Would be interested to hear what others (especially Chelsea fans) think about this, especially as regards the best partner for Kante in the 2 in front of the back four.
Liverpool: The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated
I’d like to revisit your Kepa or Karius question and say, unequivocally, I’d prefer Karius
Turns out fabinho is the 2nd best CB on Liverpool
Did NBC mess this up by putting so many EPL matches on Peacock premium?
How is everyone watching the game? Where is it being aired? Just Peacock?
Ryan, any concern with Firmino’s relative lack of attacking output over the past year or so, or not worried given everything else he does vis-a-vis defensive work rate, link-up play, etc?
What is Minamino's best position?
Concerns with TAA and Robertson not really getting involved so far in almost 2 games?
Chelsea relying on a 35 year old to fix their defense is certainly ... a choice
Serious question: what does Lampard see in Mason Mount? .23xG90, .16xA90, 1.6 key passes per 90, doesn't seem to contribute much defensively. That all seems to be squarely meh
At this point, what's Kepa's resale value? 10 million euros??
American Football starting early today
Logging out. This is gonna be a bloodbath
Kante playing as the forward-most of the midfield 3 was not really what I expected
Thoughts on the Jota signing?
Oy vey Kepa
Hope you're feeling better, Ryan!
Doesn’t this feel awfully similar to what City did last year with Fernandinho? Why not resign Lovren? I understand fans didn’t like him, but he’s a quality 4th option. What happens if Fab or Virg get injured? Bring up a kid or go get a real CB...
Does Liverpool consider Fabinho at this point as their 4th center back? That could mitigate some of their depth problems in that position.