Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has expressed his frustration towards Antonio Conte’s new 3-5-2 formation.
The Reds were held to a 1-1 draw at Anfield this Saturday evening as Chelsea came from behind to salvage a point for the Blues with a late equalizer from Willian. Former Blue Mohamed Salah had struck the hosts in front after an hour of play, but smart changes from Conte earned the reign champions a deserved goal.
Against all expectations, the Italian manager chose to start Danny Drinkwater over Cesc Fabregas in midfield. The Englishman is quite a lot more defensive player than Fabregas, which made Chelsea’s three-man midfield of him, N’Golo Kante and Tiemoue Bakayoko quite the obstacle for the home side. The two Frenchmen barely made any runs forward, as they mostly just sat back waiting to stop a Liverpool counter, and retained the possession when the Blues were on the ball.
Klopp didn’t seem to rate this part of Conte’s tactics, and was unhappy not to have any ‘luck’ with him in such a vital clash.
“I think I need a little bit of time to be happy. I’m happy about the performance, how we took the game. It’s a little bit more difficult when Chelsea played with eight defenders more or less.
After a week like this (long trips away in the Champions League) we have both had, it was one of the better draws I’ve seen in my life.
You need a bit of luck and we didn’t have it again. Of course, if you’re at home 1-0 up, you want the three points, that’s my problem at the moment.
It was a really good game and at the end, it’s one point against Chelsea. There will be a moment tonight when I think the result is OK – but not now.”
– Jurgen Klopp, BT Sport (via London Evening Standard)
Will Conte change his game plan following Klopp’s comments? Unlikely so. Sounds like someone’s just bitter for losing the lead just minutes before full-time (for the second time in a week)…
