Nicolas Anelka: From the opening kick we saw how Chelsea will set-up. As Fernando Torres (left) and Didier Drogba ran high, chasing Liverpool's kick-off, establishing the team's shape, we saw Nicolas Anelka slot-in behind the two out-and-out strikers. Whether it will be 4-3-3, 4-4-2, 4-1-2-1-2 - whatever. Anelka is going to be a make-shift trequartista.
Chelsea FC Vs. Liverpool FC: Where Are They Playing? Fernando Torres, Nicolas Anelka, And Liverpool’s Defender-Heavy Selection
Fernando Torres: He’ll be a left-leaning striker, partnered and mirroring Didier Drogba. Early in the match, Torres say his first chance with the Blues, putting a 19 yard shot over the bar as he aimed for the upper-right hand corner.
Glen Johnson: Mirroring Martin Kelly on the right, Johnson will be the left wing back, the right-footer finding a home on the left since Kenny Dalglish's appointment. Early, we see the England international bounding down the right side, setting up an early battle with Chelsea right back José Bosingwa.
Raul Miereles: If he’s playing a midfield role, it’s the highest one. You could call him a forward in a 3-5-2, 3-5-1-1 - whatever. Early on, it’s playing as a 5-3-2.
Steven Gerrard: And in that 5-3-2, Steven Gerrard is playing to the right of Lucas Leiva, the central midfielder. Gerrard, however, has already been seen drifting to the left (where Maxi Rodriguez is playing) as well as jumping to the lead of the attack as an ill-fated, seventh minute counter was forming.
Jamie Carragher: He's on the right side of Liverpool's three man central defense. The Liverpool icon is making his first appearance since late November, returning from shoulder surgery. Martin Skrtel is in the middle of defense, with Daniel Agger on the left.
Frank Lampard: Of course, Lampard's deployed centrally, the most advanced of Chelsea's three midfielders, but of note regarding his positioning is how quickly he's getting forward from his left-leaning position. When the ball is played to Anelka, who is dropping back to play with his back to goal, Lampard bursts into attack to temporarily become a third forward.
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