Wijnaldum: Balance is going to be crucial at the Bridge
Finding the right balance between attack and defence will be crucial for Liverpool as they take on a 'new test' at Stamford Bridge tonight, believes Georginio Wijnaldum.
The fifth game of the Premier League season provides arguably the toughest challenge yet for the Reds, with a resolute and determined Chelsea side – who have picked up 10 points from 12 under the guidance of Antonio Conte – the obstacle.
But Wijnaldum and co can head to west London with confidence after a convincing 4-1 victory against Leicester City at Anfield, plus a win over Arsenal and draw with Tottenham Hotspur previously secured on their travels.
Crucial to any result this evening, according to the midfielder, will be the way in which Liverpool manage their desire to break forward in numbers with the need to be defensively solid.
“Sometimes we are too excited and attack with a lot of players, and that also gives the opponent chances,” Wijnaldum told Liverpoolfc.com.
“We must be aware that they have good players who can hurt us when we are too excited. But that’s football. You mustn’t change a lot from the style you are playing, because it has gone well so far.
“But we must be aware of the little things, that if we are not smart they can create a lot of chances.”
LFCTV GO: Wijnaldum discusses Chelsea test
The Dutchman continued: “They have started well, 10 points from four games is a really good start for them. They have a lot of good players and they have bought a lot of good players.
“It’s a team who can be champions and a difficult team to beat. But we also have a good team and have already played against good opponents. It’s going to be a new test for us.”
With a touch more fortune, Liverpool may have been coming into this fixture with a similar points total to their hosts, but instead show seven from their opening games.
Despite enjoying over 80 per cent of the possession at Burnley, there was a defeat at Turf Moor for Jürgen Klopp’s side, before Spurs denied the Reds a win with a second-half equaliser.
It’s time to move on from those frustrations, though, says Wijnaldum.
He added: “Sometimes you are unlucky in those kinds of games. You have a lot of possession play and create chances but you don’t make a goal.
“At Tottenham we were also unlucky that we didn’t score goals. I think we deserve more but this is how it is and we have to deal with the situation as it is right now and move on.
“That’s the next game and that’s Chelsea, so the focus must be on Chelsea and not what we deserve to have. Just move on and look forward.”