The first-ever all-English UEFA Super Cup is here as Liverpool and Chelsea prepare to battle in Istanbul. Here are the Three Keys to this huge clash. Bet on the game here.
Experience v inexperience
Liverpool capped off a splendid campaign last season with a Champions League triumph in Madrid. The Reds had a surreal Premier League season where they amassed 97 points but were narrowly pipped to the title by Manchester City. Now, Liverpool have one of the best teams in the world and it would take a miracle by Chelsea to beat them. The experience they got from last year’s final and the league makes them a dangerous team.
Meanwhile, Chelsea won the Europa League last season but most of their core players like Eden Hazard and David Luiz have left. Now, the Blues team contains a lot of youngsters which has also been necessitated by injuries to key first-team players. All-in–all, the team that Frank Lampard will put out tonight will be inexperienced. Moreover, the young team that played in the league last week got hammered 4-0 by Manchester United. Can Lampard win the Super Cup with kids?
Christian Pulisic v Mohamed Salah
Mohamed Salah was his usual self on the opening Premier League match against Norwich City, where he scored one and provided an assist. On Wednesday night in the Super Cup against Chelsea, he’ll carry the goal-scoring threat of the Reds. The Blues were brutally exposed on the flanks against United and if they don’t rectify that, the Egyptian may run riot. Furthermore, Salah scored a beautiful goal the last time these two met.
Christian Pulisic was signed in January by Chelsea but had to wait until this season to make his debut. The American is yet to make his mark for his new team and the Super Cup might just be the perfect game for him to announce himself. If he starts he’ll possibly be the Blues best player on the pitch and he’ll need to show up if Chelsea are going to have any chance.
Jurgen Klopp v Frank Lampard
Jurgen Klopp remains one of the best tacticians in the game. His expansive, attractive style of play has made Liverpool one of the most feared in the game. Klopp has won major trophies in his career including the Champions League and Bundesliga title. Therefore, he possesses invaluable experience at the highest level which might just be what the Reds need tonight.
Compared to Klopp, Lampard is a rookie in the coaching arena. The former Blues player’s only tangible experience as a coach was at Derby County last season. This makes him inexperienced as he leads his team against Liverpool. As mentioned, his first competitive game in charge of Chelsea ended in a 4-0 clobbering by United. Lampard’s inexperience might be his undoing against Liverpool but it will be a chance for him to showcase himself to the world.