Chelsea suffer double injury blow against Liverpool
September 23, 2019
Chelsea were dealt with a huge blow and face defensive crisis after Emerson Palmieri, and Andreas Christensen both sustained injuries against Liverpool.
Before the game, Emerson has been nursing a thigh injury which he picked up on international duty and even missed last week’s league clash with Wolves, as well as the mid-week Champions League fixture against Valencia.
The Italian defender was now making his injury return in a crucial game against Liverpool at Stamford Bridge, but he limped after just 15 minutes.
Christensen then added to Chelsea’s injury list after he appeared to have twisted his knee as he tried to block an effort from Mohamed Salah.
The center-back was substituted as he left the pitch in obvious pain to deepen Chelsea‘s injury crisis. Liverpool were two goals up when Kurt Zouma was brought on to replace Christensen.
Liverpool won the game by two goals to one, as they scored both goals twice from setpieces to exploit Chelsea’s current defensive issues.
Lampard will feel let down by his players, who were slow to close down Trent Alexander-Arnold’s deadly free-kick which led to the opening goal in the 14th minute after Mohamed Salah’s backheel tricked Chelsea’s defensive wall.
Later in the match, Cesar Azpilicueta scored what he thought was the equalizer only for it to be ruled out for offside in the build-up to the goal.
The decision was correct, much to the chagrin of Chelsea fans. The referee Michael Oliver and VAR Andre Marriner received boos by the Stamford Bridge fans. However, the Blues faced another danger when they conceded another free kick on the edge of their area.
Lampard’s lads poorly defended the free-kick again, and Roberto Firmino was left to score a free header from Andy Robertson’s delivery and double their advantage.
Chelsea employs a zonal marking system to defend setpieces, and it has to lead to them conceding goals.
Four out of the six goals conceded against their last three opponents, Wolves, Valencia and now Liverpool have all come from setpieces.
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This article is brought to us by our Sports Writers Club resident columnist – Collins Michael Nwokolo. Follow him on Twitter and Pinterest.
