Premier League Round 2: Chelsea Need Only to Replicate Opening Performance, Liverpool's New Manager Shows Tactical Acumen

The second round of the Premier League kicked off on the evening of August 25, with Chelsea facing Wolves away and Liverpool hosting Brentford at Anfield. Both teams were looking to build on contrasting starts to the season: Chelsea sought to capitalize on an impressive tactical display against Manchester City despite the defeat, while Liverpool’s new manager, Arne Slot, was eager to demonstrate the ingenuity of his unorthodox approach. Let's dive deeper into their respective matchups and the tactical insights that could shape their futures in the league.

Wolves vs. Chelsea: A Pure Football Focus Amidst Uncertain Rebuild

Wolves opened their season with a characteristic first-round defeat away to Arsenal. Despite being largely on the back foot throughout the game, Wolves were not entirely passive. Arsenal, mindful of not expending too much energy in their first match of the season, did not go full throttle. Wolves managed to construct some effective attacking plays, but when it came to the decisive moments, Arsenal's superior individual quality allowed them to score twice, with Wolves left to rue missed opportunities. The departure of Pedro Neto has visibly weakened Wolves' attacking power, and this round they face Chelsea, a team now boasting Neto's talents.

Chelsea, who have signed nine players this season including João Félix, find themselves in an intriguing position. Despite fan jokes about the crowded dressing room at Stamford Bridge, the club's ownership, led by Todd Boehly, seems to be making moves that go beyond the typical football logic, focusing on business strategies that may not immediately benefit Chelsea's quest to reclaim their status among Europe's elite. It seems that only when this phase of purely commercial operations concludes, will Chelsea's genuine football rebuild begin. For the players and the coaching staff, however, football remains their primary concern.

In their opening match against Manchester City, Chelsea performed admirably, even unexpectedly so. Both sides were effective in dispossessing each other in dangerous areas of the pitch, but Chelsea, despite winning the ball back in more threatening positions and more frequently, lacked the decisive action to capitalize on those moments. The contrast between City's Erling Haaland and Chelsea's current attacking options — such as Neto, Jackson, and Enzo — became starkly apparent. At this stage, it's unrealistic for a top-tier star to join Chelsea and "wade through the mud."

Still, credit must be given to Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca for his tactical plan. If Chelsea can replicate their high pressing and effective turnovers from the first round in their match against Wolves, there should be no shortage of goals. Chelsea's 2-0 win over Swiss side Servette in the midweek UEFA Europa Conference League qualifiers also showcased their squad depth. Of the starting eleven against Manchester City, only Christopher Nkunku and Moisés Caicedo started both games, highlighting the advantage of Chelsea's large squad. Danish goalkeeper Jesper Jørgensen, a summer signing from Villarreal, performed well in his first start and may retain his place in the lineup.

Regardless of Chelsea's own current strength, Wolves have clearly weakened without Neto, giving Chelsea a significant opportunity to showcase even a fraction of their full potential. A solid performance could see Chelsea execute at around 30% of their capacity to Wolves' 10%.

Liverpool vs. Brentford: Luis Díaz — A Player Who Frustrates and Delights

Liverpool’s first game under new manager Arne Slot was marked by tactical intelligence. Against newly promoted Ipswich Town, Liverpool engaged in an evenly matched first half, with Ipswich even feeling they had created better chances. But as the second half unfolded, Liverpool shifted gears. If not for wastefulness in front of goal from Luis Díaz and Diogo Jota, Liverpool could have easily scored a couple more goals.

Jota was guilty of missing a clear-cut chance, but Díaz's issues were more profound. His finishing was inconsistent, and as his stamina waned in the second half, he frequently lost possession while attempting to advance or miscommunicated with teammates. Despite these shortcomings, Díaz remains highly valued by both Jürgen Klopp and Slot, primarily due to his relentless work rate.

Ipswich's physical decline in the latter stages of the game was noticeable, which allowed Liverpool to dominate the second half. In contrast, Brentford came into this round with a solid victory over Crystal Palace, a team they had never beaten since returning to the Premier League. Crystal Palace's new manager, Oliver Glasner, who had led Eintracht Frankfurt to a Europa League title, seemed to forget that Palace remains a team fighting for survival in the Premier League. This led to an ambitious but flawed tactical approach. The addition of new signing Daichi Kamada, who has yet to fully integrate, also contributed to their defeat.

Brentford, however, have their own set of challenges. Star striker Ivan Toney is actively seeking a transfer to the Saudi Pro League, leaving head coach Thomas Frank with little choice but to bench him. Historically, matches between Liverpool and Brentford often feature high-scoring outcomes. Last season, Liverpool defeated Brentford with a three-goal margin in both meetings, and their first home game of this season presents another prime opportunity to collect points. Liverpool is expected to operate at around 30% of their capacity, while Brentford may not experience the same luck they had in the first round.

Chelsea’s Tactical Approach: A Game of Inches and Intrigue

For Chelsea, the key to this match lies in maintaining the tactical discipline they showed against Manchester City. Maresca’s pressing game is designed to disrupt the opposition high up the pitch and create quick turnovers. Chelsea’s pressing statistics from the first match suggest that their players are well-drilled in this system, and their ability to recover possession in advanced positions gives them a significant edge. However, the challenge remains in what they do next — translating possession wins into effective attacks. Against Wolves, who have lost one of their primary attacking outlets, Chelsea’s pressing could prove even more decisive.

Their squad depth will also be tested. With a host of new signings, Chelsea’s lineup is brimming with fresh talent. Players like Jørgensen, who had a strong performance midweek, will need to continue their form. Meanwhile, attackers such as Nkunku and Félix must step up in the absence of proven goalscorers to convert the chances that Chelsea’s pressing game will inevitably create.

Liverpool’s New Direction Under Slot: A Focus on Flexibility

Arne Slot’s decision to deploy a strikerless formation in his debut match showcased his tactical flexibility and willingness to adapt to the strengths and weaknesses of his squad. His approach leverages Liverpool’s pace and movement in the attacking third, allowing them to be less predictable and more dynamic. Slot’s emphasis on fluid, positionless play should help Liverpool maximize the attacking potential of players like Díaz and Jota, provided they can improve their decision-making and finishing.

Defensively, Liverpool’s ability to press as a unit will be crucial. Against Ipswich, their coordinated pressure forced mistakes and allowed Liverpool to regain possession quickly. This relentless pressing style, combined with strategic substitutions, can wear down opponents, as seen in their first match. Slot’s tactical versatility will be tested again against Brentford, a team known for its direct, physical style of play.

Both Chelsea and Liverpool face different challenges in Round 2, but their tactical setups under Maresca and Slot, respectively, offer a glimpse of what could be a compelling season ahead. As both teams continue to adapt to new systems and personnel, their progress will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike.