Adrian Clarke looks at key tactical points and players who can be decisive in matches following the release of the 2023/24 Premier League fixtures.
Two of last season’s biggest under-achievers meet at Stamford Bridge in the opening weekend’s most glamorous fixture.
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Chelsea, who finished last season in 12th place, host Liverpool who ended up a distant 22 points behind champions Manchester City in fifth.
Adding spice to the occasion, it will also be Mauricio Pochettino’s first competitive match in charge of Chelsea.
Pochettino v Klopp
Chelsea’s new head coach has a poor record against Jurgen Klopp.
While in charge of Tottenham Hotspur, the two managers met 11 times in all competitions, including in a UEFA Champions League final, but Pochettino came out on top just once against Liverpool.
Pochettino's record v Klopp
| Total | |
| Matches | 11 |
| Wins | 1 |
| Draws | 4 |
| Losses | 6 |
To his credit, Pochettino’s Spurs never conceded more than two goals in a match against Liverpool, but they consistently lost tight encounters.
Interestingly, he regularly tinkered with his tactical approach against Liverpool.
Searching for a formula that would see him get the better of the Reds, Pochettino used seven different formations in his last eight meetings with them.
He lost six of those, including the last four.
Last eight meetings v Klopp
| Formation | Result | Season | Competition |
| 4-1-4-1 | LIV 2-1 TOT | 2016/17 | EFL Cup |
| 4-4-2 | LIV 2-0 TOT | 2016/17 | PL |
| 3-5-2 | TOT 4-1 LIV | 2017/18 | PL |
| 4-2-3-1 | LIV 2-2 TOT | 2017/18 | PL |
| 4-3-1-2 | TOT 1-2 LIV | 2018/19 | PL |
| 3-1-4-2 | LIV 2-1 TOT | 2018/19 | PL |
| 4-2-3-1 | TOT 0-2 LIV | 2018/19 | UCL |
| 4-3-3 | LIV 2-1 TOT | 2019/20 | PL |
The last four meetings between Chelsea and Liverpool have all ended goalless.
Both Premier League matches last season finished 0-0, and prior to that in 2021/22, the League Cup final and FA Cup final were both decided on penalties after neither team managed to score.
In fact, the last six fixtures between these two have been drawn.
You must go back to May 2018 for the last time Chelsea prevailed at home to Liverpool, with Olivier Giroud scoring the only goal.
First impressions
Pochettino’s attacking brand of football has potential to make this a far less cagey affair.
Aware that Chelsea scored only 20 goals in 19 Premier League matches at home last season, Pochettino is likely to try and make a positive first impression by setting up with a bold front-footed game plan.
Liverpool, who ended 2022/23 on an 11-match unbeaten run, will also fancy their prospects of the starting the new season with a win.
Knowing the Blues failed to win 13 of those home fixtures last season, the Reds will almost certainly look to prey on any fragilities by attacking the hosts.
Look out for Chelsea’s left flank
During the last 10 matches of 2022/23 Trent Alexander-Arnold performed a hybrid right-back/central midfield role to brilliant effect, producing seven assists from that new position.
Liverpool’s form as a team was strong during this period too, but when Alexander-Arnold is tucked inside, it can leave them vulnerable to quick transitions in the space vacated down their right.
Pochettino likes his full-backs to push on, and in Mykhailo Mudryk, he also has a left-winger that shone brightly during a second half cameo at Anfield in January.
Chelsea may target that area of the pitch whenever they turn over possession and hope it will lead to a positive start to the season.
Also in this series
Part 1: Why Man City will provide the perfect test for Burnley
Part 3: Arsenal and Man Utd to seek early advantage in title race