MX23RW : Tuesday, December 24 02:16:26| >> :120:5992:5992:
[monks data]
Liverpool logo
Premier League | Gameweek 8
Oct 20, 2024 at 4.30pm UK
Anfield
Chelsea logo

Liverpool
2 - 1
Chelsea

Salah (29' pen.), Jones (51')
Slot (26'), Szoboszlai (45+8'), Nunez (69'), Konate (80'), Mac Allister (90+2')
FT(HT: 1-0)
Jackson (48')
Adarabioyo (6'), Jackson (28'), Veiga (78')

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca singles out winger for praise ahead of Liverpool game

'Talent is not enough': Maresca singles out Chelsea winger for praise
© Imago
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca singles out one of his wingers for praise ahead of the Blues' Sunday showdown at Liverpool in the Premier League.

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has called on the majority of his wide players to follow the lead of Noni Madueke.

Since losing to Manchester City on the opening weekend of the campaign, the Blues have responded by putting together a six-game undefeated streak in the Premier League.

That has left Chelsea sitting four points adrift of leaders Liverpool in the standings ahead of their showdown at Anfield on Sunday afternoon.

Unlike under previous head coaches, Maresca now has a settled squad at his disposal, as well as a wide array of talent in the final third.

Madueke began the season without being introduced as a substitute against Man City, while he remained among the replacements for the first leg of the Conference League playoff with Servette that followed four days later.

However, Madueke has since brushed off being down the pecking order under Maresca by emerging as arguably Chelsea's first-choice option on the flanks.

Chelsea's Noni Madueke pictured on October 6, 2024© Imago

Maresca talks up Madueke attitude

Madueke has since scored five times from eight outings in all competitions, including a hat-trick against Wolverhampton Wanderers in what was his first start of the campaign.

When addressing the quality that he has in his squad, Maresca used Madueke as an example to try to motivate his competition to increase their work-rate both on and off the ball.

As quoted by PA, Maresca said: "In football, I don't think talent is enough. You need more. It's not only about Cole [Palmer], it's about all the attacking players that we have.

"You see how Noni in this moment is pressing forward, running back. He's doing very good not just because he is scoring.

"It's something we need from all the rest; Pedro [Neto], Joao [Felix], Christo [Nkunku], Misha [Mudryk], Jadon [Sancho]. Today in football it is not enough to be good on the ball, you have to be good on the ball and off."

Chelsea's Christopher Nkunku and Pedro Neto celebrate on September 24, 2024© Imago

Can rivals break into starting lineup?

Jadon Sancho - alongside Madueke and Palmer - are in line to start against Liverpool on Sunday, with the trio incredibly having 10 goals and eight assists between them in the Premier League.

Of the other quartet, they have just four Premier League starts between them, with Felix the only one not to feature from the opening whistle in the top flight.

For the time being, they are generally being restricted to starts in cup competitions, something that will realistically not change unless Chelsea fail to impress in the final third at Anfield.

ID:555942:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect4446:
Written by
Darren Plant
No Data Analysis info

Click here for more stories about Enzo Maresca

Click here for more stories about Chelsea

Game History

How you voted: Liverpool vs Chelsea

Liverpool
61.8%
Draw
16.6%
Chelsea
21.6%
487
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Victor Osimhen of Galatasaray celebrates after scoring on September 28, 2024
Read Next:
Nevin: Chelsea 'don't need 30-goal striker' amid Osimhen January links
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool16123137162139
2Chelsea17105237191835
3Arsenal1796234161833
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest179442319431
5Bournemouth178452721628
6Aston Villa178452626028
7Manchester CityMan City178362925427
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle177552721626
9Fulham176742422225
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton176742726125
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1772839251423
12Brentford177283232023
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd176472122-122
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham175572230-820
15Everton163761421-716
16Crystal Palace173771826-816
17Leicester CityLeicester173592137-1614
18Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1733112740-1312
19Ipswich TownIpswich172691632-1612
20Southampton1713131136-256


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!