OPINION: Chelsea v Liverpool - Subtle changes or switch in formation for Frank Lampard?

Chelsea take on Liverpool in the UEFA Super Cup game in Istanbul tonight and after what happened defensively against Manchester United on Sunday it's an important question to which I want to read as many opinions as possible - Should we make subtle changes to our approach from Sunday or switch formation?

Going forward we did everything well leading to the final third but could not stick the ball in the net against United. On another day we would have scored at least two, so apart from scoring goals our play was OK. It's the issue with how open we found ourselves between midfield and defence on Sunday that was the major concern for all of us. 

Being honest, Liverpool are a stronger, more dangerous team than United at the current time and if anything, they will pose more of an attacking threat to us than Sunday which is something we are not looking forward to at all. That's if we play the same way and leave ourselves exposed. 

Frank Lampard speaking in his pre-match press conference yesterday spoke of Sunday and heading into this game and said:

"We need to be much better at not committing errors which lead to chances on the counterattack, Because all good teams will make it difficult if you do that.

We have to respect the strengths of the team we are playing. And Liverpool is a different challenge to Manchester United, that doesn’t mean we are willing to concede ground or defend our own box. There may be subtle changes in our approach but what has to stay is the intensity of our work rate.”

What would those subtle changes be if he decides to stick with the 4-2-3-1 formation? If anything he will certainly ask one of the two deep lying central midfielders to sit and hold their position, maybe even both of them to allow the attacking four players to create chances in the game. It makes sense to sit deep and protect in a game against Liverpool with the attacking threat they have.

However, what about a change of formation instead to the 4-3-3 formation to get rid of the number ten role and bring in a third central midfielder instead? I believe it would give us a better balance as we look to try and obtain some defensive stability after what happened on Sunday. 

We await news on the fitness of N'Golo Kante today after Frank Lampard had revealed that he suffered a minor knock having come on as a substitute at Old Trafford. If deemed fit enough to play then why not stick him at the base of the three-man midfield, protecting our back four with Kovacic (who was outstanding on Sunday) one side with Jorginho the other?

Up top I would give Christian Pulisic a start alongside Olivier Giroud and Pedro. It would be good to give both Pulisic and Giroud the start having missed out this weekend, especially for Giroud as reward for the huge part he played in our European success last time out. 

I believe that packing out our midfield, to match the Liverpool formation with give Jurgen Klopp and his players something to think about. It should give us a better balance and the defensive solidity we need which is important. If we concede three more tonight it would have a real effect on the squad as a whole. 

What do you think? Should we stick with the 4-2-3-1 with subtle changes, or change to the 4-3-3?

Let me know as many opinions as possible on this! UTC!

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