Chelsea v Liverpool - Alonso and Jorginho are key defensively to a Chelsea win.

Chelsea take on Liverpool this evening in a massive, massive game and as I posted yesterday I have real concerns defensively about the game with Marcos Alonso and Jorginho being the key to a Chelsea win WITHOUT THE BALL. 

With Eden Hazard in our side we can beat anyone. We have the attacking talent to beat Liverpool despite being written off this season and can cause any team in the world problems. In fact, it's my view that the Liverpool defence isn't as great as everyone thinks with Dick Van Dijk being overrated!

However, and I must be honest based on what I have seen so far this season, the position of Jorghino and Marcos Alonso at times in our defensive transitions is not good and leaves us open to attack. If we play like that tonight - with the Liverpool front three given space and time to attack, we could be in for a long night!

Marcos Alonso needs to play with discipline and push forward when the time is right. He needs to also be aware to play on the cover. If Cesar Azpilicueta (who needs a better game tonight after his personal performance on Wednesday) pushes forward, Alonso needs to tuck in alongside the two central defenders to maintain a three at the back to deal with any counter-attacking threat. It's useless for him to push forward and find himself out of position if we lose the ball. Look out for that during the game.

The main reason I am concerned, to which the regular readers of my site will know is Jorginho and his ability without the ball. He cannot tackle and his attempts to do so are powder-puff at best. If at any time in the game we press Liverpool high up the pitch with the Italian orchestrating it and pressing forward into the opposition half himself, it can leave us exposed if they break on us and play the ball into the likes of Mane, Firminho and Mo Salah in-behind Jorginho. That leaves us exposed and he has not got the defensive abilities to get back and win the ball back. A role that N'Golo Kante has demonstrated over the last three years that no-one else comes close!

Don't get me wrong, with the ball Alonso and Jorginho can cause Wurzel Klopp's side some real problems and it will be interesting to see how the German set's his side out to deal with the Italian in particular as they struggled to deal with Cesc Fabregas for the most part on Wednesday. If anything, Jorginho is far superior and more suited to the role which should become a factor in our attacking transitions this evening.

I have little doubt that because of the way both managers like their teams to play, that this will be an open and entertaining game with plenty of goals. If anything, it has the potential to make the two most expensive goalkeepers in the world look mediocre if the attacking talent on display live up to expectations. Let's hope that Kepa Arrizabalaga lives up to his price tag starting this evening!

Despite the performance against West Ham I am confidence about our chances going forward because of how open Liverpool play. They have not really been tested this season so far and will be by Chelsea with Giroud, Hazard and Willian looking to take advantage.

It's whether or not we can defend as well as we need to that will decide the outcome of this one with Alonso and Jorginho in particular the focus.

A Chelsea win would be spectacular and I'd take a draw now ahead the game but again, having seen the chances other sides have created against our style of play already this season, a defeat would be hardly surprising.

Come on Chelsea!