With Xabi Alonso being rumoured for a potential move to Stamford Bridge, the Chelsea display against Liverpool highlighted a perfect fit for his system.
Chelsea’s tactical shift to a 3-4-2-1 at Anfield proved to be a masterstroke of defensive solidity and structural balance. By deploying a back five in defensive phases, interim boss Calum McFarlane successfully stifled a potent Liverpool attack.
This specific setup is no coincidence; it is the tactical hallmark of Xabi Alonso, who famously utilised the same formation to guide Bayer Leverkusen to an invincible Bundesliga title.
Alonso’s preference for a three-man defence supported by high-energy wing-backs is widely regarded as the gold standard. By adopting this system now, the club has essentially provided a proof of concept, demonstrating that the current personnel are perfectly suited for the identity Alonso would want.
Who was your Man of the Match vs Liverpool?
Liverpool v Chelsea - Premier League
Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images
Marc Cucurella shines in newly-found role for Chelsea
Marc Cucurella’s performance at Anfield was arguably his most intriguing display in a Chelsea shirt.
Operating as a dynamic wing-back in Calum McFarlane’s new 3-4-2-1 system, the Spaniard was granted total license to roam, frequently appearing as the most advanced player on the pitch.
His heat map reflected a relentless energy, consistently overloading Liverpool’s right flank and forcing Curtis Jones into a defensive nightmare.
Statistically, Cucurella was a hub of productivity, recording 37 touches and six touches in the opposition box, while completing 21 of his 23 passes, as well as creating one chance and having a shot on target.
He even thought he had assisted the winning goal before a marginal VAR offside call intervened.
Rate Levi Colwill’s performance 1️⃣-🔟?
Levi Colwill's Chelsea performance vs Liverpool
Photo by Chris Lee – Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Xabi Alonso will like what he saw from Marc Cucurella
Cucurella’s ability to adapt to the Xabi Alonso-esque hybrid role was undeniable.
At Bayer Leverkusen, Alonso turned Alejandro Grimaldo, a player with strikingly similar technical foundations to Cucurella, into the most productive defender in Europe by allowing him to abandon the touchline and drift into the half-spaces.
The Spaniard’s display against Liverpool mirrored this perfectly; he wasn’t just a wide outlet, but a central disruptor. Having played as a left midfielder earlier on in his career, he has the engine to press high and the footballing IQ to act when he gets into good positions.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best Chelsea content each week direct to your mailbox