Liverpool vs Chelsea

[The Big Drog 1,110]

If ever there was a game to illustrate exactly how important Didier Drogba is to Chelsea this was it. I don't think Im exaggerating when I say that was the worst half of football I can remember Chelsea under Ancelotti playing, it was defensively frail, our attacking threat simply did not exist but above all else we had a midfield 3 that could best be described as dysfunctional. Mikel lacking options to pass the ball to, Ramires not involved and worst of all Zhirkov whose passing, positioning, on the ball and off the ball work were baffling at the best of times. Individual errors cost us dearly today, neither Alex or Ivanovic closing down Kuyt for the first goal, Ashley losing the ball for the second goal.

The key problem in the first half for Chelsea was pretty simple, Liverpool's strikers and midfield pressed the ball, Chelsea's midfield lacked somebody who could get between the lines and offer a creative release and as a result the ball continously went sidewards or backwards meaning we had very few attacks and none of them telling. Therein lies the beauty of Drogba because you see teams do this to us time and time again and Drogba is the outball to it, a simple long ball down the pitch and you know Drogba will compete for it which may lead to a throw in or a free kick or he may win the ball and from there we can set up an attack with our front three or any of our other players breaking forward. Today, with our midfield out of sorts, with Liverpool pressing the ball very well, we went long and we didn't find Drogba, we found Nic Anelka, who as good a player as he is, is not the physically dominating Ivorian.

In the second half it was no coincidence that we were significantly better than in the first, even a Drogba with fever was much more of a handful than any of our attackers had been in the first half, providing a target, competing, running and providing a bit of quality, he was the reason for our good play in the second half, hopefully he will be fit for the game against Fulham on Wednesday night. Anyway we were a bit unlucky second half, Malouda's shot from a Drogba cross which Reina did well to keep out, Nic Anelka hitting the bar, Ramires heading over ect.

Could be worse anyway, Arsenal lost and Man Utd have to travel to The City Of Manchester Stadium Wednesday night and we are still top of the table.

[LDN Blue 7,903]

If ever there was a game to illustrate exactly how important Didier Drogba is to Chelsea this was it. I don't think Im exaggerating when I say that was the worst half of football I can remember Chelsea under Ancelotti playing, it was defensively frail, our attacking threat simply did not exist but above all else we had a midfield 3 that could best be described as dysfunctional. Mikel lacking options to pass the ball to, Ramires not involved and worst of all Zhirkov whose passing, positioning, on the ball and off the ball work were baffling at the best of times. Individual errors cost us dearly today, neither Alex or Ivanovic closing down Kuyt for the first goal, Ashley losing the ball for the second goal.

The key problem in the first half for Chelsea was pretty simple, Liverpool's strikers and midfield pressed the ball, Chelsea's midfield lacked somebody who could get between the lines and offer a creative release and as a result the ball continously went sidewards or backwards meaning we had very few attacks and none of them telling. Therein lies the beauty of Drogba because you see teams do this to us time and time again and Drogba is the outball to it, a simple long ball down the pitch and you know Drogba will compete for it which may lead to a throw in or a free kick or he may win the ball and from there we can set up an attack with our front three or any of our other players breaking forward. Today, with our midfield out of sorts, with Liverpool pressing the ball very well, we went long and we didn't find Drogba, we found Nic Anelka, who as good a player as he is, is not the physically dominating Ivorian.

In the second half it was no coincidence that we were significantly better than in the first, even a Drogba with fever was much more of a handful than any of our attackers had been in the first half, providing a target, competing, running and providing a bit of quality, he was the reason for our good play in the second half, hopefully he will be fit for the game against Fulham on Wednesday night. Anyway we were a bit unlucky second half, Malouda's shot from a Drogba cross which Reina did well to keep out, Nic Anelka hitting the bar, Ramires heading over ect.

Could be worse anyway, Arsenal lost and Man Utd have to travel to The City Of Manchester Stadium Wednesday night and we are still top of the table.

Great post here!

The only thing about Drogba is, this season he's looked very different. "Not interested" is the term that keeps spurring up about him. I think this disrupts the team harmony, if the players see Drogba doesn't look on it then they'll feel lost/frustrated.

[Madmax 9,219]

You have all just witnessed why we won't come anywhere near winning the Champions League. We may win the Premier League but, like last season, it will be a case of being the best out of a very bad bunch of teams.

Too many naysayers around here.

Guess what, I want us to win EVERYTHING even more now, just so that we can ram it down your throats.

[The Big Drog 1,110]

Great post here!

The only thing about Drogba is, this season he's looked very different. "Not interested" is the term that keeps spurring up about him. I think this disrupts the team harmony, if the players see Drogba doesn't look on it then they'll feel lost/frustrated.

Personally I dont think its disinterest, I think he has played a bit of a different role, he seems to be drifted out wide a bit more allowing Nic, Malouda or Kalou(depending on who is playing on the day) to move into the centre more often, he seems to be creating more than he is scoring. Though I thought against Spartak Moscow midweek, in the second half we saw the old, centre forward version of Drogba, he was absolutely dominating, I thought second half when he came on, despite not being 100% he was excellent, a constant target for our players to hit and pretty much the launch pad from which most of our attacks were built.

[Styles 9,790]

Whyyyyyyyyyyy?! Its Novemeber! We're still in the Champions League and thats more about luck anyway and having a decent ref.Bit early to say we wont win it :S

Postive thinking!! We lost loads of games last year.Okay none against the top 4 but hey.And Man U aint lost yet but that happen soon...we hope! And even if they dont loose they've still dropped points but drawing.Might not loose anymore

We're still top!! Long way to go!

Our squad is thin. One of our most important players (Essien) is likely to be injured when the business end of the season rolls aorund. We can't function without our 32 year old striker, god knows what will happen when he starts to decline. Kalou is a shocking footballer, a mid-table level substitute masquerading as a useful striker for a top European club. Ramires was, once again, shambolic. No awareness, no speed of thought and worst of all a rubbish first touch that meant every second touch was a tackle.

This is the worst Liverpool team of the last decade being carried by 2 footballers yet we made the likes of Konchesky look good. It may just be Novemeber but these problems won't magically disappear in March, April or May. The truth of the matter is our squad has been mismanaged. We have three senior forwards (Malouda, Drogba, Anelka) backed up the useless Kalou. Ancelotit clearly doesn't rate Sturridge as he refuses to give him any serious time.

[zolayes 14,489]

That's ridiculous, the champions league comes down to luck more than anything else, we've outplayed teams in the CL and lost due to bad decisions.

It's one defeat to liverpool god you'd think we'd just been relegated from some of the reactions on here.

trying to imagine what they would be like if they supported Aberdeen ...btw arse lost at home to the toon today

[Styles 9,790]

Great post here!

The only thing about Drogba is, this season he's looked very different. "Not interested" is the term that keeps spurring up about him. I think this disrupts the team harmony, if the players see Drogba doesn't look on it then they'll feel lost/frustrated.

I'd suggest that Drogba, who is heading towards his 33rd birthday, is changing his style of play. He wasn't always going to be the rampaging bull he can be at his very best. From what I have seen of him this season I think he is playing in bursts and reserving energy to last the whole game. 'Not interested' is very cruel in my opinion. You can't expect a 32 year old to run like crazy all game.

[LDN Blue 7,903]

Our squad is thin. One of our most important players (Essien) is likely to be injured when the business end of the season rolls aorund. We can't function without our 32 year old striker, god knows what will happen when he starts to decline. Kalou is a shocking footballer, a mid-table level substitute masquerading as a useful striker for a top European club. Ramires was, once again, shambolic. No awareness, no speed of thought and worst of all a rubbish first touch that meant every second touch was a tackle.

Strangely enough I agree with some of your points here.

However, I think Sturridge is slowly starting to prove himself to Carlo, whereas before he used to waste the chances given. When he came on vs Spartak midweek he made a considerable difference and I think soon enough Sturridge will become the 1^st choice substitute.

In regards to Ramires. This wasn't his best game and yes most time first touches do let him down. However this was the same case earlier in the season and after the game vs Arsenal we saw him improve that. Then he got injured and wasn't back till midweek, I think today he got a bit intimidated by the Anfield faithful and let the occasion get to him. However do try and remember he's only 23 and with Carlo's coaching and Mikel helping on the pitch he will improve. He's got good potential, he's quick and strong (though you couldn't tell looking at him).

[chrismada9 1,948]

Could be worse anyway, Arsenal lost and Man Utd have to travel to The City Of Manchester Stadium Wednesday night and we are still top of the table.

Very true! Hopefully United will drop points and we can maintain our 5 point gap by beating Fulham

[Styles 9,790]

Strangely enough I agree with some of your points here.

However, I think Sturridge is slowly starting to prove himself to Carlo, whereas before he used to waste the chances given. When he came on vs Spartak midweek he made a considerable difference and I think soon enough Sturridge will become the 1^st choice substitute.

In regards to Ramires. This wasn't his best game and yes most time first touches do let him down. However this was the same case earlier in the season and after the game vs Arsenal we saw him improve that. Then he got injured and wasn't back till midweek, I think today he got a bit intimidated by the Anfield faithful and let the occasion get to him. However do try and remember he's only 23 and with Carlo's coaching and Mikel helping on the pitch he will improve. He's got good potential, he's quick and strong (though you couldn't tell looking at him).

Fair enough about Ramires. He may or may not improve but at the moment the £17m is looking completely wasted. We could have got ourselves another forward with that and just promoted one of the kids to be as hit and miss as Ramires is.

[Term-X 7,891]

Too many naysayers around here.

Guess what, I want us to win EVERYTHING even more now, just so that we can ram it down your throats.

We?

Lmao, you are a joke. So fellow Chelsea fans are not allowed to criticize the team?...

Unbelievable.

Hey guys! STFU, otherwise madmax is going to ram it down our throats.

'Today we won the game 5-0, and torres was assassinated'... ignorance is bliss.

[Madmax 9,219]

We?

Lmao, you are a joke. So fellow Chelsea fans are not allowed to criticize the team?...

Unbelievable.

Hey guys! STFU, otherwise madmax is going to ram it down our throats.

'Today we won the game 5-0, and torres was assassinated'... ignorance is bliss.

Criticising the team is one thing, to say we're not gonna win the CL based on one poor performance and to ridicule last year's double as being 'the best among a very poor bunch of teams' is crap. And yes, do stfu with your nonsense negative crap. If you can't say something positive, shut your trap and fuck off.

[BlueLion. 21,491]

I think this might be the proverbial 'kick up the arse' we need. First half was shocking but the second half was a marked improvement and we were largely unlucky not to get at least a goal back.

Let's be fair - we lost to the better team on the day but at least there's a chance City and United can take points off each other and we can possibly go five clear again.

[Chelsea_Fan 227]

Didier Drogba like Forlan he is always young .Chelsea depend on for Drogba , when he on the field we play different .He started play on the team not only himself Bur we must looking substitution to him , he can't play always

[Styles 9,790]

Criticising the team is one thing, to say we're not gonna win the CL based on one poor performance and to ridicule last year's double as being 'the best among a very poor bunch of teams' is crap. And yes, do stfu with your nonsense negative crap. If you can't say something positive, shut your trap and fuck off.

Calm down dear.

We haven't won the CL with better squads (04-06) so it's nothing suprising to say we won't win it with this mismanaged squad. Also Carlo is a nice fella and all but he really doesn't strike me as a thinking coach. He just lets the game go on with trying to do things. You appreciate just how good Mourinho was at changing games when you see Carlo make a like for like sub without changing the approach/style of play in a game.

[Madmax 9,219]

Calm down dear.

We haven't won the CL with better squads (04-06) so it's nothing suprising to say we won't win it with this mismanaged squad. Also Carlo is a nice fella and all but he really doesn't strike me as a thinking coach. He just lets the game go on with trying to do things. You appreciate just how good Mourinho was at changing games when you see Carlo make a like for like sub without changing the approach/style of play in a game.

Agree about Carlo not being effective with subs, that's one very valid criticism of him. Don't agree about the CL thingy though. With a certain amount of luck, we can go far. Sorry if I was harsh earlier, emotions still running high.

[Styles 9,790]

Agree about Carlo not being effective with subs, that's one very valid criticism of him. Don't agree about the CL thingy though. With a certain amount of luck, we can go far. Sorry if I was harsh earlier, emotions still running high.

No problem bro. I'm still pissed off myself and I'll probably cringe at my posts when I read back tomorrow lol.

[eldo 868]

Just beat United on December 19 and everything is going to be OK.

[neel 257]

Only watched the second half . I saw one team was trying to play attacking football and that team was NOT Liverpool. Anyway sh!t happens and it will happen for every other team. Keep the faith.

[BLionheart 516]

a midfield of Mikel - ramires - zhirkov will always struggle even against teams way worse than liverpool .

zhirkov is not only useless in midfield but he is very wasteful as well , his movement is very bad on and off the ball his makes a lot of fouls and his defensive display overall is very poor .... also he makes the left side much much more crowded for a.cole and malouda you can see how a.cole started to look like a real threat when zhirkov was taken off ..... i hope the next time we will see malouda in midfield and sturridge starting infront alongside with anelka and Drogba .

the problem was not our defence and tbh our attack didn't get too much of chances specially in the 1st half , it was pretty obvious this midfield is a complete shit , not only today but since zhirkov replaced lamps we used to get results just because we were playing smaller teams with some very bad finishing and good finishing from our side .

but no one can deny we were unlucky not because of the post and wasted chances or the refree but because if someone in the start of the season was to ask which player would you like to avoid injury i would have said essien , lamps , cech , terry and Drogba ..... those five players are very vital for us and three of them were injured today so that what i think was unlucky but with our injuries history i was not totally surprise to lose vital players before an important game but now someone has got to question our fitness and midical team i think we are one of the most teams that are ht with injuries .

anyway i think when lamps is back we will get to see chelsea clicking again and hopefully he will just get back as he was never off , some would say Drogba was the one we missed today but for me it was certainly lamps and may be essien ... this game along with any others showed why lamps should get the best midfielder in the world reward , when you look at all those stars Drogba malouda anelka essien and they are suddenly not clicking as they used to and all of this because one player was injured you know how vital he is .....

if lamps is not ready against fulham , i hope mceacheran will start the game and let's what this boy can do and i can garauntee you he won't be worse than zhirkov or ramires