Liverpool to flex muscles in all-English Super Cup
Liverpool fans travel to a city with fond memories in Istanbul to take on transfer banned Chelsea in the final of the UEFA Super Cup. The two teams’ starts to the new Premier League season were chalk and cheese with the Reds thrashing Norwich City 4-1 in the opening match of the weekend with Chelsea going down 4-0 at Old Trafford in the final fixture of week one. Jurgen Klopp’s men look the stronger coming into this one, but it is a final and Chelsea will show up, after all, five of the last 10 Super Cups have been settled after or beyond extra time.
Recent history
Wednesday evening will bring the first ever all-English Super Cup, Liverpool were the last side to win the competition back in 2005. The team from Merseyside are also unbeaten in their last six European competitive meetings with English opposition (4W, 2D). It is Chelsea’s fourth appearance in this fixture, only one victory to their name up to now having lost in 2012 and 2013. Seven of the last 10 Champions League winners have gone on to add the Super Cup to their trophy cabinet and recent form would suggest Liverpool are streets ahead of the Blues at the current time.
Lampard vs. Klopp
This will be the first meeting between the two gaffers of extremely differing experiences. Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino did not complete the 90 minutes against the Canaries with this game in mind, the Senegalese golden boot winner only featured from the bench having been given a longer summer break following his country’s run to the final of the Africa Cup of Nations. The main weakness for the favourites is the loss of Alisson Becker between the sticks who was forced off with a calf problem in the opening match, therefore new signing from West Ham United, Adrian will step in for the Super Cup.
Injury hit Chelsea looked defensively fragile in their opener, Kurt Zouma giving away a clumsy first half penalty to invite Manchester United into the game after the Blues had started very promisingly. Tammy Abraham looked lively crashing a shot against David de Gea’s right post just four minutes in, however he may be replaced by Olivier Giroud for this encounter. Giroud has bagged six times in 11 starts versus Liverpool and capped an outstanding display with a goal and an assist in the Europa League final in May.
Ultimately Liverpool will have too much for this youthful Chelsea side however it will not be straightforward, they will need to play well and tighten up those defensive frailties that were clear to see against Norwich.
Liverpool – Chelsea Betting Tip
Liverpool to Win with Betfair at odds of 8/13.
Post bet chat Marcus's Tips:
N'Golo Kante came back in for Chelsea as they performed admirably to take Liverpool to a penalty shoot-out, where they were unlucky to lose 5-4 with Adrian saving Tammy Abraham's spot kick. It finished 2-2 after extra time.