Chelsea Concedes 1.71 Goals Per Game as Liverpool Looms
The Blues face a tough test at Anfield on Wednesday, missing key defenders and struggling with set pieces.
By Meera Fletcher ·
Chelsea enters the EFL Cup match at Liverpool with a defensive record that mirrors teams fighting to stay in the Premier League.
The Blues have allowed 1.71 goals per 90 minutes this season. Only clubs currently in the relegation race have a worse defensive record. This statistic stands out even after a 5-1 win over Bournemouth earlier in the season.
Xabi Alonso took over the squad this year, and the team has shown flashes of high performance alongside moments of fragility. The departure of Enzo Fernandez to Manchester City in the summer has left a noticeable gap in the midfield. Fernandez chose to join his former manager at the Etihad, a move that was difficult to prevent but has had a clear impact on Chelsea's structure.
The upcoming fixture at Anfield presents a difficult challenge. Liverpool, managed by Andoni Iraola, is finding its form. Florian Wirtz and Bradley Barcola are settling into their roles, while Alexander Isak is regaining his peak output. For Chelsea, the match is a critical test of a backline that has already struggled.
Several players will be absent for the game. Cole Palmer serves a suspension, while Joao Pedro and Reece James are also out. Emi Martinez remains sidelined with a broken jaw, despite his recent move from Aston Villa. These absences leave Alonso with a thin group to choose from. Missing just one of these players would force tough tactical decisions, but losing all of them exposes the defensive weaknesses even further.
When Chelsea plays at its best, it presses high and organizes its backline effectively. Maxence Lacroix often stays deep to protect the goalkeeper and lead the defensive line. However, the team struggles with set pieces. When Martinez is not in goal, the backup keepers lack command of the box. This vulnerability is compounded by frequent fouls that concede corner kicks and free kicks.
Monaco recently canceled a deal to sell Lamine Camara to Chelsea, which had seemed likely to proceed if Folarin Balogun moved to Everton. Camara would have addressed some of these defensive gaps. Without him, Alonso may need to play more directly, relying on the strength of the front three. Ceding possession to attack can expose the defense, but scoring remains the most effective defense for the Blues.
The match is scheduled for Wednesday, October 28, at 4 p.m. ET at Anfield in Liverpool, England. Paramount+ will carry the live stream. Betting odds show Liverpool as slight favorites at +120, with a draw at +275 and Chelsea at +185. A loss would confirm what the statistics already suggest about the team's current standing. The squad needs to win to maintain momentum as it looks to return to Champions League play.
