Chelsea will be looking to extend their advantage at the top of the Premier League table on Saturday afternoon as they make the trip to Leicester City in the weekend’s early kick-off. Speaking in February of this year,
Jurgen Klopp said: “Jamie is obviously a proper challenge in this league. The way he plays, the way he gets set up by his mates. That is a proper job to do. But we can only do it, always, with the whole team. That is how we always tried to do it. We have to avoid the passes to him. Jamie is a world-class player, for sure, in this specific area of the pitch, with his speed, that is really tricky.”
Equally, though, Rodgers knows all too well about the threat Chelsea can pose on Saturday and the Northern Irishman heaped praise on Tuchel and the Blues in his pre-match press conference on Thursday afternoon.
Brendan Rodgers said: “It is a big challenge because they are a fantastic team. Thomas has got them organised and working well. They have an outstanding manager and an incredible squad of players who have the confidence of winning a big title. They can bring players in and it does not make a difference. The level is really high tactically and technically. When you play the big teams, you need to be at the top of your game, you need to be relentless in your work, and you need a bit of luck as well. We will be ready for it.”
Chelsea’s record away from home in the Premier League has been brilliant so far this term, with the Blues winning four out of five games on their travels – with the only time Tuchel’s side dropped points at Anfield at the end of August in a 1-1 draw. Tuchel will be determined to make that five wins from six matches on Saturday afternoon, and take advantage of Leicester’s underwhelming start to the season, but the centre-backs will have a big job on their hands to cope with the speed and directness of Vardy.