Liverpool 2-1 Chelsea: Arne Slot Outsmarted Enzo Maresca, Claims Former Star
Liverpool remained top of the Premier League table after a crucial 2-1 victory over Chelsea on Sunday, with both sides showing glimpses of why they'll be up there at the end of the season. Mohamed Salah put the Reds ahead, before Nicholas Jackson levelled the score just minutes into the second half. Within a few minutes, Liverpool had restored their lead with a brilliantly worked goal by Curtis Jones.
Former Liverpool forward Emile Heskey spoke exclusively to Anfield Index and shared his delight with the Reds' victory...
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has earned a lot of plaudits since his arrival at Stamford Bridge in the summer, and rightly so, but on this occasion Arne Slot got the better of him. "The game was exactly how I thought it would be," started Heskey, "Chelsea played well in spells, but Liverpool managed them very well."
With an xG of just 0.99, it's hard to argue against the idea that Liverpool defended very well and in a strong structure. The patterns of the game reminded Heskey of a previous encounter between Liverpool and Maresca.
"I obviously watched him at Leicester City and I remember the two sides meeting in pre-season last summer," began Heskey, "Leicester controlled the ball really well for the opening twenty minutes before Liverpool got a hold of the game and that's what happened here."
"Maresca has a very unique style of football, so credit to Slot and Liverpool for containing it," said Heskey.
The former Liverpool forward was also keen to point out the impressive performance of midfielder Curtis Jones, who picked up the Man of the Match award. "Liverpool did really well at limiting Chelsea's creativity, especially Cole Palmer," started Heskey, "Curtis Jones was really the catalyst for that and I thought he was fantastic."
Jones has often been crucial to Liverpool's on-the-ball play, but this time his defensive work was a joy to watch. The 23-year-old won six ground duels, as well as making three tackles and one interception. This front-footed pressing and defensive ability is crucial to the way that Slot wants his Liverpool side to play, so it's brilliant to see Jones picking up on these instructions despite missing most of the season so far through injury.
Liverpool now face two tricky tests this week. Firstly, they travel to Germany to face RB Leipzig in the UEFA Champions League, where they'll be looking to maintain their perfect start in that competition. The Reds will then finish their week away at Arsenal, where a victory would move them seven points clear of their Premier League title race rivals.
Slot will be looking for a similarly stubborn and tactical display from his players in these two games and a victory in both would send them into the festive period with some serious momentum.