Chelsea left-back Marc Cucurella has revealed that Enzo Maresca’s game plan deliberately focused on Mo Salah and Liverpool’s right-hand side, exploiting the Egyptian’s advanced positioning. Liverpool’s right-back position has been unsettled this campaign, with Conor Bradley, Jeremie Frimpong, and Dominik Szoboszlai all playing after the departure of Trent Alexander-Arnold. Rotations and injuries have kept Arne Slot from having a settled regular starter, leaving holes that Chelsea took advantage of.
Exploiting the Right Flank
Cucurella explained how the Londoners targeted Liverpool’s right throughout the 2-1 victory. “We tried to attack always because we know Salah is always ready to attack, to play the counter-attack,” he told Sky Sports. The Spaniard moved into space between Ryan Gravenberch and Szoboszlai, received a precise pass from Enzo Fernandez, and delivered a low cross to Estevao Willian, who scored the winner.
Daniel Sturridge pressed Marc Cucurella on whether Liverpool’s setup was a weakness, to which the Chelsea man replied: “Yeah, I think they play one style of game that Salah is always ready to attack, so we prepare that. Today it worked, and we can win the game in this way.”
Liverpool’s Right Remains Vulnerable
While Mo Salah was following instructions to stay high, other defensive issues contributed. Wataru Endo failed to block the pass or mark Cucurella, and midfielder Gravenberch was out of position, allowing Chelsea to exploit the space with clever, fast attacking moves. Combined with Konate’s poor form and constant right-back rotation, this left the right flank exposed—a flaw Chelsea exploited perfectly.
Author’s opinion
As long as Arne Slot doesn’t solve the right-back issue, opponents will continue targeting Liverpool’s right side. Chelsea’s tactical plan sheds light on the significance of organisation and discipline, when even world class attackers like Salah can generate gaps in a defensive line without the correct backup.
As featured on Walkon.com
