Former Liverpool striker Ian Rush has hailed the astute tactics deployed by Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti at Anfield at the weekend.
A 2-0 win for the Blues meant that they took a massive step towards winning the Premier League title, and Rush believes that Ancelotti had prepared his team's shape superbly, forcing Steven Gerrard into the crucial mistake which gifted Chelsea the opening goal.
"You have to give credit to Carlo Ancelotti for getting his tactics right at Anfield," Rush told The Liverpool Echo.
"Initially, it looked as though Chelsea didn’t want to take the game to Liverpool. They were quite happy where they were. Chelsea were set up to prevent us moving the ball forward.
"By closing Liverpool down and not allowing us time on the ball, Chelsea forced the mistake for the first goal.
"In football you instinctively look to play forward. If nothing is on you then look sideways and eventually backwards.
"The way Chelsea were set up, it’s difficult for Steven Gerrard to go anywhere other than backwards from the position he’s in when he makes a wayward back pass.
"By forcing him backwards Didier Drogba is then alert to the danger and does what he does best to hand Chelsea the lead.
"Ancelotti had done his homework. Liverpool sometimes have a tendency not to look forward first, and sideways or backwards becomes the first option.
"While Gerrard will be first to admit he’s made a mistake, it’s the positioning of Chelsea’s players that has restricted his options and forced him into the error."
Rush also believes that the Reds looked tired though, after a season in which disappointment as much as leg weariness has taken its toll.
"Fatigue has come into it too. The Europa League semi-final defeat just a few days earlier will have taken a lot out of the players," he added.
"If you’re winning, you don’t get tired. But if you’re losing, you do; both physically and mentally. Players like Jamie Carragher and Dirk Kuyt have played in nearly every game this season. It’s bound to catch up with you at some point."
A 2-0 win for the Blues meant that they took a massive step towards winning the Premier League title, and Rush believes that Ancelotti had prepared his team's shape superbly, forcing Steven Gerrard into the crucial mistake which gifted Chelsea the opening goal.
"You have to give credit to Carlo Ancelotti for getting his tactics right at Anfield," Rush told The Liverpool Echo.
"Initially, it looked as though Chelsea didn’t want to take the game to Liverpool. They were quite happy where they were. Chelsea were set up to prevent us moving the ball forward.
"By closing Liverpool down and not allowing us time on the ball, Chelsea forced the mistake for the first goal.
"In football you instinctively look to play forward. If nothing is on you then look sideways and eventually backwards.
"The way Chelsea were set up, it’s difficult for Steven Gerrard to go anywhere other than backwards from the position he’s in when he makes a wayward back pass.
"By forcing him backwards Didier Drogba is then alert to the danger and does what he does best to hand Chelsea the lead.
"Ancelotti had done his homework. Liverpool sometimes have a tendency not to look forward first, and sideways or backwards becomes the first option.
"While Gerrard will be first to admit he’s made a mistake, it’s the positioning of Chelsea’s players that has restricted his options and forced him into the error."
Rush also believes that the Reds looked tired though, after a season in which disappointment as much as leg weariness has taken its toll.
"Fatigue has come into it too. The Europa League semi-final defeat just a few days earlier will have taken a lot out of the players," he added.
"If you’re winning, you don’t get tired. But if you’re losing, you do; both physically and mentally. Players like Jamie Carragher and Dirk Kuyt have played in nearly every game this season. It’s bound to catch up with you at some point."
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