Player Focus: Brazilians With a Key Role to Play When Chelsea Host Liverpool
Three minutes from time in Liverpool’s 1-0 win over Bournemouth on Wednesday, Roberto Firmino was withdrawn from action as the Reds secured their place in the next round of the Capital One Cup at their Premier League rival’s expense. The Brazilian enjoyed an outstanding showing in attack behind Divock Origi, so much so that the Anfield crowd rose to their feet to give the attacker the standing ovation he deserved on the back of his performance.
While he failed to get his name on the scoresheet - Adam Federici ensuring Liverpool found the back of the net just the once - the Brazilian’s outing was widely considered his best on Merseyside so far. Expectations were high on the back of his big money arrival from Hoffenheim, but Firmino initially struggled following his move to Anfield, though a stuttering start to Liverpool’s season, culminating in Brendan Rodgers’ sacking and Jürgen Klopp’s subsequent appointment, was hardly indicative of Firmino’s start to life in Liverpool.
Injury hindered his impact, but with Klopp at the helm - a manager who knows him well from his time in the Bundesliga as Borussia Dortmund boss - supporters are confident they will begin to see the best of Firmino. His record for Hoffenheim last season speaks for itself. Seven goals and 10 assists in the Bundesliga was a commendable return, while 140 successful dribbles was second only to Karim Bellerabi (153) in Germany’s top tier last term. However, it’s his work off the ball that will indeed appeal to Klopp.
Only Bellerabi (33) won possession in the attacking third more times than Firmino (28) in the Bundesliga last season. In Klopp’s famed ‘Gegenpressen’, the Brazil international should adjust seamlessly to his new manager’s demands of defending from the front to put opposition defences under further pressure. Firmino’s defensive work will help the team, not only in limiting the opportunities for teams to attack Liverpool, but in creating goalscoring chances as well. He has already shown his excellent work rate this season, with just two players completing a tackle more often in the Premier League (every 16.4 minutes).
Both assets need to be prominent when the Reds make the trip to Stamford Bridge on Saturday. Klopp has traditionally gotten the better of Jose Mourinho in the past, losing just one of the four competitive meetings between the two managers - that coming having effectively assured safe passage to the Champions League final in 2013 with a 4-1 home win against Mourinho's Madrid - so history is on his side. Yet, one shouldn't write off the struggling hosts when Liverpool make the trip to Stamford Bridge. The Reds have struggled in the capital of late, though Chelsea have lost as many league games as they have won (2) in front of their own fans this season.
If they are to turn their form around, chances are Willian has a big role to play. Firmino’s compatriot has been the Blues’ most important player of late, with his WhoScored rating from the last four league games (7.68) better than every Chelsea player. With Eden Hazard floundering, Willian has shouldered the attacking burden with ease. The 27-year-old is one of only two players - the other Diego Costa - to score more than one league goal for the club this season, with 2 coming from direct free kicks - a return bettered by no player in England’s top tier.
The energy he brings to the side is sorely missed when he is unavailable, with Willian playing a key role in all areas of the pitch. He is happy to harass the opposition if it means aiding his side and he has quickly risen to become one of Mourinho’s most important players. Those around him may have seen their influence wane in Chelsea’s tumultuous start to the season, but Willian’s currently the Portuguese’s go-to guy when the going gets tough.
12 tackles is a respectable return for any attack-minded player, while on the ball, Willian is no slouch either. 15 key passes and 12 successful dribbles reinforces not only his awareness of those around him, but also the ability to shake off the pressure of players striving to rob him of possession. Expected to come up against a midfield pairing of Emre Can and Lucas Leiva given his inclination to drift infield from the flank, Willian certainly has the ability to get the better of the duo, whether it’s utilising his dribbling ability or playing a defence splitting pass to Chelsea’s benefit.
One only has to look at this season’s heatmap to note just how much work Willian does for his side. Dropping deep to receive possession ensures Chelsea are able to refrain from thumping the ball up field as a means of attacking and eases the strain on the defence, with Willian instead confident of carrying the ball forward. This further reinforces the defensive side of his game, with the former Shakhtar Donetsk star not one to shirk these responsibilities.
Furthermore, this has helped the Brazilian gain a statistically calculated WhoScored style of play offering a ‘counter attack threat’, with Willian capable of not only winning possession for his side, but also instigating swift attacks utilising his pace and athleticism. It’s this threat that Liverpool must be wary of at Stamford Bridge having shipped nine goals in their last six league games. Conversely, Chelsea need to keep a close eye on Firmino. While he is yet to directly contribute to a league goal for his new side, the signs suggest he is close to breaking his Premier League duck.
Only Bournemouth, Newcastle (both 22) and Norwich (21) have shipped more Premier League goals this season than Chelsea (19) and this coming weekend is as good a time as any if Liverpool wish to come away from Stamford Bridge with maximum points. Saturday's fixture is indeed an ideal one for Firmino to open his account for the Reds as he looks to endear himself to fans. Nevertheless, he may have to outperform Willian as both look to help their respective sides to victory in West London.
Who do you think will come out on top between Chelsea and Liverpool on Saturday? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below
