Community Shield - Liverpool 2 : 1 Chelsea
Aug. 13, 2006


Looking forward to this game not only for some indication of the possible formations and line-ups of two popular YFF teams, but also for a good game, I was a tad disappointed to see the starting XI for Liverpool. The game had good intensity for the most part and did showcase some of the best players in the Premiership.

Starting Line-ups & notes
- Chelsea threw out arguably its strongest possible XI, barring Makelele, who is getting some extra rest after France's world cup run, and Cech, who is still recovering from shoulder surgery. They began

Cudicini

Geremi ------ Carvalho ------Terry ------ Ferreira

Ballack ------ Essien ------Lampard

Robben

Sheva ------- Drogba

- In what appeared to be a 4-3-3 with Robben just behind the striking pair, or something of a 4-4-2 with a midfield diamond, headed by Robben. But, over the course of the game, Robben drifted from flank to flank, and it was difficult to see the formation, as other players shifaboutobut quite frequently.
- Utility man Geremi started at right back and Ferreira at left back (preferred to Wayne Bridge???).
- Ballack pulled up lame on 26 minutes with a hip complaint and was seen icing it after. He was replaced by Kalou. Tough to assess Ballack's impact since his time on the pitch was cut short. ** Keep an eye on his injury status as the week progresses **
- Robben looked good and Essien was full of running as well.
- Sheva scored a clinical goal (chested it down, side-footed in - beauty!) from a Lampard chipped pass. If you haven't really seen him in Serie A or Champs League, you're in for a treat - this guy oozes class, he finds space well, is an underrated passer (I expect some assists and successful cross stats from him this season) and a genuine goal threat. I counted 3 or 4 shots on target and a couple of corners won yesterday as well. I was impressed. Looks like a right bargain at the moment.
- Lampard's wayward shooting continued, but he played decently overall. I'm not sure if he's worth the current 18+ price tag this week, but will be a YFF stud all year I feel.

Liverpool, somewhat surprisingly, fielded several second stringers, benching Gerrard, Alonso, Hyypia, and Bellamy. It's as if Rafa was taunting Mourinho by implying the match meant less to him. They started

Reina

Finnan ------ Carragher ------Agger ------ Riise

Pennant ------ Sissoko ------ Zenden ------ Gonzalez
Garcia
Crouch

- More of a traditional 4-4-2, with Garcia playing just behind Crouch, as a support striker. This diverges from the 4-5-1 they employed in the CL match, but I tend to think Rafa prefers the latter formation for European games.
- Sissoko was a midfield terrier all game, covering every blade of grass on the pitch. Zenden was solid but somewhat ineffectual in centre midfield.
- Riise's goal was fantastic - he collected the ball at the edge ofups own box and raced upp the middle, all the way to Chelsea's 18 before firing a low, hard shot into goal. Cudicini should have done better, but it was a rasping dipping drive. Riise went untouched the length of the field, and Moruinho should be furious that no one got stuck in to tackle him.
- Later on, substitute Bellamy hit an inch-perfect cross to the back post for Crouch to nod in. He's got pace to burn. I think Bellamy, given the right match-ups, will make a very good YFF pick. He seems to be playing with a point to prove, that he can play for a big club.
- Gonzalez, the young Chilean, was up for it - looking lively on the left flank, and managed to fire a couple of shots on target.
- Gerrard and Alonso came on after 60 minutes and added some steel and guile to the Reds' MF, effectively ensuring that Chelsea would not make a comeback.