The Liverpool Offside - Premier League 2020-21: Liverpool vs. ChelseaZeppeline, Trinken, & Pink Badeshortshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/51345/ltos-fav.png2021-03-04T23:05:04+00:00http://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/rss/stream/220772632021-03-04T23:05:04+00:002021-03-04T23:05:04+00:00Digging Deeper Into Liverpool’s 0-1 Loss to Chelsea
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<img alt="Liverpool v Chelsea - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Kh-gaoAf5lX2YVYlY0qKTjS1jrE=/89x0:4090x2667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68913907/1305380530.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Chelsea Football Club/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>We try to find some bright spots and explore why they were so few after the Reds fall to a fifth consecutive Anfield defeat.</p> <p id="8ueQBV">The Reds’ season keeps on rolling, and it’s been all downhill for a while now. Nevertheless, we do our best to find positives among the dreck, and attempt at an explanation for why things went as they did on this particular night.</p>
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<h2 id="TQVW68">Winners</h2>
<p id="MVIJ6O"><strong>Diogo Jota is Back: </strong>He didn’t contribute much, registering only seven touches in the half hour he spent on the pitch, but after a lengthy spell on the sidelines following a knee injury suffered in a meaningless dead rubber back in December, it was good to see the Portuguese attacker back out there, and on a night where highlights were few and far between, we’ll take what we can get. </p>
<p id="HKB32k">Jota’s presence can only be a boon to this team. Hopefully it won’t be cut short again before the season is out.</p>
<p id="pcpiLv"><strong>Alisson Becker: </strong>After a trio of horrendous howlers cost the Reds points in consecutive games, the Brazilian goalkeeper was back to his best tonight, displaying bravery, reflexes, and well-drilled technical execution in one-on-one situations. The consensus best goalkeeper in the world in 2019 and 2020 hasn’t had a great year, and hopefully tonight was an indication of a return to form.</p>
<h2 id="dz5UpA">Losers</h2>
<p id="kpYygZ"><strong>Fortress Anfield: </strong>After breaking all kinds of records last season, the Reds have headed in the opposite direction this year, and tonight, they recorded a fifth consecutive league loss at Anfield for the first time in club history. That’s bad. There really isn’t much more to say about that. </p>
<p id="w0i9JN"><a href="https://www.sbnation.com/champions-league"><strong>Champions League</strong></a><strong> Ambitions: </strong>A win today would have seen the Reds re-enter the top four on goal difference, within striking distance of both Leicester and <a href="https://thebusbybabe.sbnation.com">Manchester United</a>. Instead, they remain stuck in seventh, at the fringes of European qualification, with both teams directly ahead of them possessing a game in hand. </p>
<p id="ZJ5QCe">Now that Chelsea appear to have found their footing under Tuchel, they’re highly unlikely to see a dramatic drop in results, and as such, Liverpool’s odds of partaking in the Champions League next season are now mostly reliant on winning the whole thing this year. </p>
<p id="miTA6g"><strong>Hand Ball: </strong>It was, and it should have been called, and the refereeing standards in this league can only be described as atrocious.</p>
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<h2 id="qa6sd8">Credit to the Opposition</h2>
<p id="L3ThVz">Thomas Tuchel — having succeeded the man at Mainz in 2009 and <a href="https://www.fearthewall.com">Borussia Dortmund</a> back in 2014 — probably understands Jürgen Klopp and his strategical tendencies better than any human being on the planet, and certainly than any football manager. That was in evidence tonight, as Chelsea neutered the Reds’ ability to create anything of note with remarkable effectiveness.</p>
<p id="jw0OvN">Certainly, Liverpool’s offense has been misfiring for most of the year, but they have usually created a big chance or two to squander. Tonight, they were unable to generate a single non-headed shot in the 18-yard box, an extremely rare occurrence, and on the occasions when they looked like they might break through, a poor touch or decision saw the swarmed by disciplined blue shirts.</p>
<p id="7srDNh">It was a defensive performance not dissimilar in tactics to the one that Brighton employed back in October, as a 5-4-1 medium block was paired with aggressive closing down, and Chelsea combining for 37 tackle attempts on the night. The end result was a Liverpool side denied of space in the wide areas and time in the centre, managing only seven shots in total, with the front three combining for a meager two attempts.</p>
<p id="NKxLQK">At the other end, Chelsea managed to break through the Reds’ accelerationally challenged backline on the counter on a handful of occasions, and only a vintage performance from Alisson kept the scoreline respectable in the end. </p>
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<h2 id="AaFKa8">What Happens Next</h2>
<p id="zTNEdO">The Reds host Fulham on Sunday, and the Londoners are in fine form, collecting eight points from their last five, and were unlucky not to get something from Tottenham earlier today. It’s a chance for Jürgen Klopp’s men to break their historic home streak against a side currently in the relegation zone, but it will not be an easy win by any means.</p>
<p id="TFt5qX">Then, on Wednesday, RB Leipzig clash with the Reds in Budapest, looking to overturn the 0-2 deficit from the first leg. As mentioned, the Champions League now holds Liverpool’s only true chance at success this season, and they need to overcome this first obstacle if the rest of the year isn’t going to be a pure write-off.</p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2021/3/4/22314233/digging-deeper-liverpool-0-1-loss-chelsea-epl-2021-jota-alisson-winners-losers-tactics-anfieldAudun Manum2021-03-04T22:16:21+00:002021-03-04T22:16:21+00:00Liverpool 0, Chelsea 1: Man of the Match
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<img alt="Liverpool v Chelsea - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/kZCxCIzKrGrEQflGE79NBiTkZvQ=/37x0:3613x2384/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68913596/1305378894.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Chelsea Football Club/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>After the Reds suffer a deadly blow to their Champions League ambitions, we want you to rate your man of the match.</p> <p id="i7p9Co">In a tight cagey affair, a single goal was the difference, and as has been the case with Liverpool’s misfiring attack in recent months, the Reds ended up on the wrong side of that differential, losing at home to Chelsea for the first time in seven years.</p>
<p id="aLmU1J">Now tell us how you saw it! With our favoured polling tool out of service, we’re instead giving you a choice between a few of the players we thought looked best today for the Reds, so make your choice below and vote for who you think should be the man of the match—or take to the comments to let us know that we got it wrong by leaving the real man of the match off the list entirely.</p>
<p id="etfFNw">As always, anyone visiting on Apple or Google AMP who wish to vote and can’t see the poll can make it visible by navigating to the front page of The <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/liverpool"><strong>Liverpool</strong></a> Offside and re-entering the story.</p>
<div id="yPII1Q"><div data-anthem-component="poll:10374926"></div></div>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2021/3/4/22314202/liverpool-0-chelsea-1-epl-2021-vote-best-worst-performances-motm-alisson-thiago-robertson-kabakAudun Manum2021-03-04T22:06:25+00:002021-03-04T22:06:25+00:00Liverpool 0, Chelsea 1 - Match Recap: Uninspired Reds Drop Three Points
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<img alt="Liverpool v Chelsea - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/6GarL2yoxWa-Dpr7lyKfVAjVkpY=/132x69:3968x2626/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68913488/1305372952.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Liverpool failed to step up their game and got what their play deserved in defeat to Chelsea.</p> <hr class="p-entry-hr" id="jc5nCi">
<h1 id="p26f26">LIVERPOOL 0 - 1 CHELSEA</h1>
<h5 id="B3AAkZ">Liverpool<br>Chelsea<em> Mount 42’</em>
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<h3 id="wg0iMf">Pre-Match</h3>
<p id="6Wd77T">Back in the autumn, this would have been billed as a title clash. Now, it’s a battle for the top four, with both sides heading into the match knowing that if they win they will rise into the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/champions-league">Champions League</a> places.</p>
<p id="FAIKkE">For Chelsea, who haven’t lost a league game under Thomas Tuchel, it’s a chance to confirm their upward trajectory. For Liverpool, it’s a chance to show that last weekend’s victory over Sheffield United wasn’t just a case of beating the league’s worst team but an actual sign of their season getting back on track.</p>
<p id="ukCSay">To that end, Jürgen Klopp doesn’t turn down the chance to reintroduce both Alisson Becker and Fabinho to the starting eleven, and while fellow returnee Diogo Jota can only make the bench, it’s a strong lineup for the Reds and a signal of intent.</p>
<h3 id="YdxkZt">First Half</h3>
<p id="UnqzvA">Liverpool kick off the match as one might expect with the chosen eleven against this opponent, pushing high up the pitch in possession and trying to close down Chelsea with a heavy press whenever they lose the ball. Meanwhile, Chelsea set up to defend deep and try to spring the counter against Liverpool’s high line.</p>
<p id="CmLLla">In the early going the teams’ approaches largely cancel out and only lead to half chances from distance for Robertson on one end and Werner on the other. Both sides likely feel like they’re doing a decent job of executing their gameplan, but neither is causing a great deal of bother in and around the penalty areas.</p>
<p id="KrQngl">After the opening fifteen minutes or so, though, the game increasingly begins to lean towards Chelsea and in the 24th minute they get their breakthrough—on the counter, naturally. Only as Timo Werner leaves Alisson stranded and finishes into the empty goal, VAR is looking. It’s offside by an eyelash. No goal.</p>
<p id="0ANrtY">It’s a break that seems to wake Liverpool up a little, but that can only tile the game back towards being largely even. Then, with the half winding down, another half chance falls to Chelsea as Mason Mount steps inside on Fabinho and curls in a low shot from the edge of the area. It’s hard to say their 1-0 lead at the half isn’t deserved.</p>
<h3 id="SEp1VT">Second Half</h3>
<p id="2fdowy">The second opens with Liverpool pushing to equalise and Chelsea again looking to hit on the break, and it takes less than five minutes for VAR to in turn come to Chelsea’s aid as N’Golo Kanté’s arm appears raised when the ball hits it in the penalty area but it’s judged there isn’t enough in it for referee Martin Atkinson to take another look.</p>
<p id="l6zYqY">Similar to in the first half, being let off the hook by VAR seems to wake up the beneficiary—this time Chelsea—with the game evening out and the best chance of the half then going their way and needing Andy Robertson to clear it off the line. Jürgen Klopp’s answer is Jota and Alex Oxlade Chamberlain—for Curtis Jones and Mo Salah, surprisingly.</p>
<p id="IwMbTh">The changes don’t help, with Liverpool looking less likely to get the breakthrough and the run of play slowly tilting further in their favour again. The introduction of James Milner for the underwhelming Thiago in the 80th minute is the last throw of the dice, but Liverpool continue to play largely uninspired football.</p>
<p id="FpqjSS">They never quite look like they’ve given up, at least, continuing to push up the pitch, but they also never quite look like creating anything especially dangerous. In the end, stoppage time ticks away and the final whistle blows with the scoreline still a goal in favour of the visitors.</p>
<h3 id="tJOmdq">Final Thoughts</h3>
<p id="WdFOk6">It’s a fifth loss in a row at Anfield for Liverpool, and while the Reds did have some promising stretches, in the end they couldn’t register a single shot on target until the 86th minute and didn’t deserve anything more than they took from the match—nothing.</p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2021/3/4/22313773/liverpool-0-chelsea-1-match-recap-uninspired-reds-drop-three-points-top-four-raceNoel Chomyn2021-03-04T18:00:00+00:002021-03-04T18:00:00+00:00Klopp Talk: “This Wonderful Game of Ours Can Still Bring Escape, Energy, and Joy”
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<img alt="Newcastle United v Liverpool - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/S9Rps2-nexoXU-IL5oo20k_j8VU=/85x182:1129x878/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68912099/1293802524.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Liverpool manager believes there is value in football even when larger events can make it seem silly and insignificant.</p> <p id="Ad3h9G">Liverpool’s final game in front of a full Anfield took place nearly a year ago, on March 11th, 2020. Since then, a global pandemic has resulted in lockdowns, travel restrictions, and for many, isolation.</p>
<p id="lwfCZ1">For fans, caught up in the struggles of their own lives, it has perhaps been easy at times to see the continuation of sport, played out behind closed doors, as an escape without fully considering that football players and coaches have been dealing with many of the same things.</p>
<p id="FRgYdX">Recent news of the death of Jürgen Klopp’s mother, with the Liverpool manager unable to travel to the funeral, and then of goalkeeper Alison Becker’s father, served as a reminder that nobody is immune from the wider effects of coronavirus.</p>
<p id="FL9c8U">“It’s been almost impossible to speak about in public, to be honest,” Klopp <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.liverpoolfc.com%2Fnews%2Ffirst-team%2F427483-alisson-honours-his-father-every-day-with-how-he-lives-his-life&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fliverpooloffside.sbnation.com%2Fliverpool-fc-news-coverage%2F2021%2F3%2F4%2F22313169%2Fjurgen-klopp-wonderful-game-bring-escape-energy-joy-alisson-becker-father-football-escape" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">wrote</a> in the matchday program ahead of tonight’s meeting with Chelsea. “But maybe I can write it better.”</p>
<p id="ZABraM">“The world has experienced too much loss recently. We have other members of our club who have suffered it. In the city of Liverpool, throughout this country, and around the globe, too many have had to deal with the agony of losing a person they love so much. Bereavement is too common just now.</p>
<p id="NgsF1B">“But for Ali, our wonderful, loving, soulful teammate, this was truly tragic. No-one really has the words to explain what they feel in these moments. I know I’m not adequate.</p>
<p id="6TuJlc">“So instead I wish to tell Alisson how much this team and this club loves him and his family. The greatest tribute possible to Alisson’s father is the person his son is and has become. He honours him every day with how he lives his life.”</p>
<p id="SuAqTp">Yet just as football can at times provide an escape for the fans, it can do the same for the players and coaches. Or at least that’s how Klopp is trying to see the difficult situation:</p>
<p id="4axMbJ">“I’ve used this phrase, or a version of it, many times previously: football can feel like the most important of the least important things in life. It feels appropriate again tonight.</p>
<p id="V4Wmgc">“For Ali and all others who have suffered loss, this wonderful game of ours can still bring escape, energy, and joy.”</p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/liverpool-fc-news-coverage/2021/3/4/22313169/jurgen-klopp-wonderful-game-bring-escape-energy-joy-alisson-becker-father-football-escapeNoel Chomyn2021-03-04T16:30:00+00:002021-03-04T16:30:00+00:00Liverpool vs. Chelsea Live Updates: Lineups, TV Listings, and How to Watch Online
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<img alt="Liverpool v Chelsea - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/trv2PWz1JVEFGqZn4PCKWUYSYII=/0x0:3543x2362/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68911328/1231511100.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Lineups, television and streaming options, and live Premier League coverage as Liverpool welcome Chelsea to Anfield.</p> <hr class="p-entry-hr" id="sites-canvas-main-content">
<h2 id="5rWB3o"><strong>LIVERPOOL VS CHELSEA</strong></h2>
<h5 id="Dvfd4Z">
<strong>| Thursday, March 4th |</strong><br><strong>Premier League | Anfield</strong><br><strong>8:15PM BST/3:15PM EST</strong>
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<p id="SgHY0v">If Liverpool win, the Reds will leapfrog their way back into the top four. If Chelsea win, the Blues will leapfrog their way back into the top four.</p>
<p id="HMYXKH">For the winner tonight, if there is a winner, the result will feel potentially decisive, making either side at least for a time feel as though they are favourites to finish in the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/champions-league">Champions League</a> places.</p>
<p id="UyIjBx">There is still, perhaps, too much of the season left for tonight’s marquee match up to truly be decisive in the top four race. But it is as important as a game can be at this stage in the season.</p>
<h2 id="JlTzMA"><strong>PREVIEW & VIEWING OPTIONS</strong></h2>
<p id="v2u8It"><strong>Full Preview: </strong><a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2021/3/3/22311219/liverpool-vs-chelsea-epl-2021-preview-team-news-predicted-lineups-how-to-watch">Liverpool vs. Chelsea</a></p>
<p id="viAFro"><strong>Television:</strong> Sky Sports Premier League (UK); Peacock (USA); Optus Sport (Australia); <a href="https://prf.hn/click/camref:1100l4uLf/creativeref:1011l39034/adref:LO" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank"><strong>DAZN</strong></a>* (Canada); Star Sports Select 1 (India); Astro SuperSport 3 (Malaysia); SuperSport Premier League (Nigeria); 102 mio Stadium (Singapore); SuperSport Premier League (South Africa); other listings at <a href="http://www.livesoccertv.com/"><strong>LiveSoccerTV</strong></a></p>
<p id="bh09M9"><strong>Online Streaming:</strong> <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fubo.tv%2Flp%2Fsoccer%2F%3Firad%3D343747%26irmp%3D482924%26sharedid%3DTheLiverpoolOffside&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fliverpooloffside.sbnation.com%2F2021%2F3%2F4%2F22313197%2Fliverpool-chelsea-epl-2021-goal-highlights-teamsheets-tv-channels-online-streaming" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank"><strong>NBC via FuboTV</strong></a>*| <strong>Online Radio:</strong> <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.liverpoolfc.com%2Fvideo&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fliverpooloffside.sbnation.com%2F2021%2F3%2F4%2F22313197%2Fliverpool-chelsea-epl-2021-goal-highlights-teamsheets-tv-channels-online-streaming" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank"><strong>LFCTV GO</strong></a></p>
<h2 id="jPC4vx"><strong>LIVERPOOL</strong></h2>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr"> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LIVCHE?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LIVCHE</a> <br><br>Our line-up for tonight </p>— Liverpool FC (@LFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/LFC/status/1367554207167963142?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 4, 2021</a>
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<h2 id="Xz1NF6"><strong>CHELSEA</strong></h2>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Tonight's starting XI at Anfield <a href="https://t.co/iPx97aTjBw">pic.twitter.com/iPx97aTjBw</a></p>— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChelseaFC/status/1367554201396600834?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 4, 2021</a>
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<h2 id="1j7tsw"><strong>JOIN THE CONVERSATION</strong></h2>
<p id="ZiBqNk">If you haven’t already, sign up for an SB Nation account and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/account/setup?community_id=373"><strong>join the conversation on The Liverpool Offside,</strong></a> where we’ll have full coverage of every Liverpool match this season, breaking news, opinion, and tactical discussion.</p>
<p id="iRBWJn"><small>*Liverpool Offside has affiliate partnerships. These do not influence editorial content, though Liverpool Offside may earn commissions for products purchased via affiliate links.</small></p>
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https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2021/3/4/22313197/liverpool-chelsea-epl-2021-goal-highlights-teamsheets-tv-channels-online-streamingNoel Chomyn2021-03-04T10:00:00+00:002021-03-04T10:00:00+00:00Klopp: “Qualifying for the CL was Always for Financial Reasons”
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<img alt="Liverpool Training Session" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/NI3-XBkZ6OT57Dy4UUuS6bXsNWo=/0x0:3258x2172/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68909486/1304940380.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Blood, guts, and the balance at the botto of the excel spreadsheet.</p> <p id="xHWcD3"><a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com">Liverpool FC</a> is somehow, someway, still in the fight for fourth place. They can improve their position with a win at home, where they have inconceivably lost four straight (and winless in six), against fifth-placed Chelsea tomorrow. The financial implications of the modern game has never been clearer than during this period, with clubs’ revenues getting hit badly by the coronavirus pandemic. Jürgen Klopp however, made it clear that he isn’t being pressured by the owners to make the top four at all costs:</p>
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<p id="r4ryTV">We all understand this situation - that’s it pretty much. It’s not that the owners called me and said “if you don’t qualify for the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/champions-league">Champions League</a> then this or that will happen” because we are all in this situation together, we all understand.</p>
<p id="LEACPP">The main reason for qualifying for the Champions League was always for financial reasons. For the club, it’s about- about finances and this year is no different. Of course, it will be very important. absolutely.</p>
<p id="WZ858j">But that it is so important cannot change things. I hope people still see that we do our absolute best and try absolutely everything to make it happen.</p>
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<p id="CmbVFZ">Of course, not making top four will come with consequences. Your Mbappe fever dream? That’s definitely over. It’s somewhat fitting that this match will take place against Chelsea, who pipped Liverpool to Timo “COME AND GET ME” Werner over the summer due to the financial package they could offer.</p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/liverpool-fc-news-coverage/2021/3/4/22312812/liverpool-fc-jurgen-klopp-qualifying-for-the-champions-league-was-always-for-financial-reasonsdxtehsecks2021-03-04T03:00:00+00:002021-03-04T03:00:00+00:00Klopp Talk: “We Are Concerned” About March International Break
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<img alt="Liverpool Training Session" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/-MGI4Ozg1r8GPMpWGYJvFqEE2uI=/0x0:4197x2798/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68908657/1304940389.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The German manager hinted Liverpool could refuse to release players for international duty if they must quarantine when they return.</p> <p id="c28VOi">International breaks in the time of COVID-19 have been a very tricky affair from the beginning. Restrictions on international travel, varying degrees of spread throughout the many countries players must travel to, and the inability or lack of effort to take measures to reduce potential COVID exposure by national teams has left clubs and fans alike waiting with bated breath to see if all of their players would return from the breaks virus free.</p>
<p id="RoXI8L">For the upcoming March international break, FIFA has given clubs a potential lifeline by allowing them to refuse to release players for international duty if their national team travel would require a quarantine period of five or more days upon their return. When asked about this during his pre-Chelsea press conference today, Jürgen Klopp wouldn’t commit to refusing to release players, but it’s very clear Liverpool are considering it.</p>
<p id="Pm3Jgm">“I have different things I could say but we are concerned, yes. About all the things,” said Klopp. “All the things that happened in the last few months. Whenever someone had to leave the bubble. In the bubble, we have had cases but we are without cases for a long time, but it never spread. There was self-isolation.”</p>
<p id="wLSVoL">While COVID case numbers continue to trend in the right direction in England, the concerns from previous international breaks are clearly still present in the German manager’s mind.</p>
<p id="RphlP8">“There were two periods in the last international break when more cases come up and the Christmas period obviously which we were all involved. It was a challenge for all of society. It’s going in the right direction in England and looks positive and promising. Yes, we are concerned by these things.”</p>
<p id="jR8H1f">Based on current travel restrictions and rules, Alisson Becker, Roberto Firmino, Fabinho, and Diogo Jota would all have to quarantine for ten days upon their return to England if they joined their national teams during the upcoming break. This, of course, would rule them out of training and playing in any matches over that ten-day period. </p>
<p id="SG0sB0">Missing four key players from an already depleted roster because they’re in quarantine is clearly not something Klopp wants to deal with. While he didn’t outright say Liverpool won’t release them, he didn’t exactly hide how he feels about the situation. He even went so far as to make the point that the players are paid by their clubs, not their national teams, so the clubs’ needs take priority in these unprecedented times.</p>
<p id="IL2swq">“We don’t have to let the players go this time and all the clubs agree we cannot let the players just go and sort the situation when they come back with a 10-day quarantine in a hotel.”</p>
<p id="FJBazW">“I understand the need of the different FAs, but this is a time where you can’t make everyone happy and we have to admit the players are paid by the clubs.”</p>
<p id="UwHBTg">“That means we have to be first priority. That’s how it is. That means, with the competitions coming up in the summer, you cannot make everyone happy at the same time in this period of our lives.”</p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2021/3/4/22312068/jurgen-klopp-talk-we-are-concerned-about-march-international-break-liverpool-coronavirus-covid-19WaterWorldIsMyNightmare2021-03-03T19:24:57+00:002021-03-03T19:24:57+00:00Preview: Liverpool vs. Chelsea
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<img alt="Liverpool v Borussia Dortmund - UEFA Europa League Quarter Final: Second Leg" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Qx0CtXF7OSQx8NqudGVmLkmjNwk=/0x401:3712x2876/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68905118/521217756.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Reds take on one of their strongest rivals in the fight for fourth place.</p> <hr class="p-entry-hr" id="qm9v04">
<h2 id="BqgYiQ">Liverpool vs Chelsea</h2>
<h5 id="gH6SAI">| Thursday, March 4th |<br>Premier League | Anfield<br>8:15PM BST /3:15PM EST</h5>
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<p id="1dU3Iy">As will be the case for much of the remainder of the year, it’s a season-defining week for the Reds, starting with a chance to overtake Chelsea and take a big step closer to <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/champions-league">Champions League</a> qualification.</p>
<p id="alVBJs">Much has changed for both sides since Liverpool comfortably outplayed the Blues at Stamford Bridge back in September, but given their recent managerial change, it’s inarguable Chelsea have had more upheaval.</p>
<p id="JJkD1I">Thomas Tuchel has replaced fan-favourite Frank Lampard, bringing with him an expansive, possession-based playing style that has seen his new club win five and draw three since his appointment, conceding only two Premier League goals in the process. It hasn’t necessarily been exhilarating to watch, but points have been earned, and given Liverpool’s recent form troubles, the Blues have bypassed tomorrow’s opponents in the table.</p>
<p id="4W2iBU">Tuchel will miss his captain Thiago Silva, but can otherwise field a full and healthy squad tomorrow, with concerns about a packed fixture list the only reason to consider resting any of this stars.</p>
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<h5 id="unXFb5"><strong>Projected Liverpool Lineup (4-3-3)</strong></h5>
<p id="Yyzs1U">Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Kabak, Phillips, Robertson; Thiago, Wijnaldum, Jones; Mané, Firmino, Salah</p>
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<p id="FjJD62">Liverpool are in the process of becoming healthy themselves, welcoming Fabinho and Diogo Jota back to training this week, although match participation comes too soon for the latter.</p>
<p id="UYlDN7">This means we could risk a 19th centre-back partnership tomorrow night, should Fabinho be reintroduced alongside Ozan Kabak, pushing Nat Phillips out of the starting XI. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson are non-negotiable starters every week, with the former beginning to find something resembling his form of recent seasons.</p>
<p id="IWHotf">In midfield, there is an abundance of options, as Naby Keïta returned to action at the weekend and Curtis Jones continues to prove himself more than worthy of his spot in the team. The 20-year old scored the opener in another impressive performance on Sunday, and it would be a surprise at this point if he’s not starting next to Georginio Wijnaldum and Thiago tomorrow.</p>
<p id="EIwG5C">Up top, both Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino got the goals they deserved against Sheffield United — although the latter had his taken away by the aptly named Dubious Goals Panel — and Sadio Mané will hope to end his own dry spell, having scored only a single goal in his last nine Premier League outings.</p>
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<h5 id="Ye0nud">What the Managers Said</h5>
<p id="5JZGmE"><strong>Jürgen Klopp:</strong> “You have to be patient in moments, you have to be lively in other moments. You have to be creative in moments and you have to show your desire for defending in all the moments because this is a top team and they will ask for a lot, and we should try to make sure that we have all the answers. ”</p>
<p id="5dHJcC"><strong>Thomas Tuchel: </strong>“This is the challenge, this is the benchmark in terms of league wise and of course in Liverpool at Anfield, we are absolutely aware of this that we step into the biggest challenge.”</p>
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<h5 id="789Puw">The Officials</h5>
<p id="KSNBKh"><strong>Referee: </strong>Craig Pawson<br><strong>Assistant referees:</strong> Stuart Burt, Simon Bennett<br><strong>Fourth official: </strong>Anthony Taylor<br><strong>VAR:</strong> Paul Tierney, Constantine Hatzidakis</p>
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<p id="b8UBoe">Kickoff is set for 8:15PM GMT/3:15PM EST tomorrow, and television listings for the match can be found on <a href="https://www.livesoccertv.com/match/3922994/liverpool-vs-chelsea/">LiveSoccerTV</a>.</p>
<p id="gMrAwU">In the meantime, and as always, we’ll be keeping you updated with all the buildup to the game, including team news as it’s released, our live matchday thread, and post-match recaps from The Liverpool Offside staff. If you want to join the discussion, sign up for an SB Nation account to have your say on the action as it happens.</p>
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https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2021/3/3/22311219/liverpool-vs-chelsea-epl-2021-preview-team-news-predicted-lineups-how-to-watchAudun Manum