Source explains two huge challenges Chelsea had to face to beat Liverpool – makes win more impressive | OneFootball

Simon Johnson’s piece for the Athletic about Chelsea’s win over Liverpool at the weekend makes some interesting points.

The Blues got the win they desperately needed, beating the Reds at home for the first time since 2018 to keep their hopes of finishing in the top 5 and reaching the Champions League alive. To do that they had to best a Liverpool side who have been the best in the league all year, and they did that with a really strong performance.

Chelsea suffer serious disruption in build up

It’s been pointed out that Arne Slot rotated his team a little, and that the Reds were likely coming into this game after a more relaxed week than usual, having secured the Premier League title last weekend.

But as Johnson points out, Chelsea’s preparation was hardly ideal either. They were in Sweden on Thursday playing Djurgarden, and according to his source at the club, “didn’t get to be until 5am on Friday.”

The group then only had one training session – a 90 minute period on Saturday – to prepare for Sunday’s game. Yet despite that they showed a lot of energy and enthusiasm to come out on the front foot and score early against Liverpool.

Fernandez goal allows game state to favour Chelsea

Enzo Fernandez celebrates a massive goal. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

That Enzo Fernandez goal was really what changed everything. From that point Chelsea could defend, allowing Liverpool to keep the ball and looking to strike on the counter – which they did.

If they hadn’t taken the lead then, they could easily have felt the tension rise at Stamford Bridge just as they started to tire following their midweek exertions. It might have ended badly. Instead, the early goal set them up perfectly, and the shape of the game played into their hands.