Sky Sports: “Serious questions” over sporting directors and Maresca if Blues beaten | OneFootball

Enzo Maresca’s team is out for today’s game against Liverpool, and it’s clear that the Chelsea manager is thinking safety first.

He plays Reece James as an extra body in midfield, meaning effectively 5 defenders on the pitch.

In attacking areas, he prefers the more experienced Alejandro Garnacho to the exciting but raw Estevao Willian.

He does plump for Josh Acheampong at the back instead of Jorrel Hato. This is a huge night for the young academy player.

Liverpool switch up their team

Enzo Maresca embraces Alejandro Garnacho. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Meanwhile Liverpool have made a switch of their own – Dominik Szoboszlai plays in midfield while Florian Wirtz is dropped to the bench. We wonder if Enzo Maresca would have picked a different side had he known what Arne Slot was cooking?

Conor Bradley offers a very different threat to Szoboszlai playing down the right. His battle with Alejandro Garnacho will be absolutely fascinating. Jeremie Frimpong offers another alternate right sided option from the bench.

Maresca doesn’t have much to bring on beyond Estevao or the disappointing Jamie Gittens. The bench looks pretty bare for Chelsea as injuries bite.

Chelsea need a win to return their season to its course

As Sky Sports’ Patrick Rowe put it in his rather chilling take on the game:

“A fourth defeat in six games for Maresca’s side, who are only four points above 19th-placed West Ham, could see them tumble into the bottom half – a scenario that would ask serious questions of the head coach and those who built his squad.”

There have long been serious questions asked in the fanbase – they could be about to go mainstream.

On the other hand, a win today would dramatically change the trajectory of everything, going into the international break.

It’s all about to get very interesting…