Tony Cascarino slams Blues for ‘playing with a small-club mentality’ at Anfield

Chelsea ‘performed with a small-club mentality’ throughout Sunday’s go to to Liverpool, which led to a 2-Zero defeat for Maurizio Sarri’s facet.

Except for a 10-minute spell after the Reds scored their second objective – a really excellent strike from Mohamed Salah – wherein Chelsea dominated, the Blues had been emphatically outplayed by their Anfield opponents.

Solely the good goalkeeping of Kepa prevented Jurgen Klopp’s facet taking an earlier lead, and when Sadio Mane netted the opening objective with a close-range header there was no approach again for the Blues.

Salah’s strike, which flew previous Kepa two minutes later, assured the hosts a worthwhile three factors that returned them to the highest of the Premier League desk.

Eden Hazard burst to life after Salah scored and missed two wonderful probabilities, hitting the put up then being denied by Alisson, however that was the one risk Chelsea posed all through a lax and torpid efficiency.

Sarri’s decision to not field a natural striker – Hazard was selected upfront – revealed much about Chelsea’s approach to the match, and former Stamford Bridge striker Tony Cascarino says the Blues went to Anfield with a ‘small-club mentality’.

In his Times column on Monday, Cascarino writes: “Liverpool’s efficiency towards Chelsea was as spectacular as any they’ve given within the Premier League for just a few months.

“They’d good depth – notably after half-time – they usually managed the sport.

“Chelsea had been disappointing, taking part in with a small-club mentality and, however for the odd flash of creativity involving Eden Hazard, they didn’t appear to be they may even take some extent off Liverpool.”

Cascarino additionally commented on Manchester City’s defeat of Crystal Palace, which despatched them high of the desk earlier than Liverpool’s victory put them again in first.

He criticised Palace for refusing to assault Pep Guardiola’s facet, and in contrast their method on Sunday with Huddersfield’s adverse type of play towards Tottenham on Saturday – and Chelsea’s method to their conflict at Anfield.

“One other win for Manchester Metropolis and one other staff to roll over and provide little risk in assault,” Cascarino continues. “I do know Crystal Palace managed to beat Metropolis earlier within the season however that made their cautious method yesterday all of the extra disappointing.

“Huddersfield had been the identical of their 4-Zero defeat at Tottenham – a number of adjustments however nonetheless a five-man midfield and one shot on course – and in some methods Chelsea had been as dangerous towards Liverpool.”