Chelsea have been told to target Trent Alexander-Arnold when they face Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final next week.
The England international has been popular for his creative nature in attack, but has come in for some criticism for his defensive work and the space vacated when he goes forward.
As a result, Thomas Tuchel may look to target the Reds’ right flank when the two sides meet at Wembley, with the two German coaches looking to add another trophy to their collection.
For Tuchel, victory in the Carabao Cup would cement what has already been a fantastic year, with the Chelsea boss already reaching every possible cup final as well as winning a Champions League and Club World Cup in his short stay so far.
The challenge of Liverpool is a very real one though, as neither side could be separated over 180 Premier League minutes this season, with seven points the current gap between the two in the league.
Back in August, the two sides met at Anfield, where the Blues had to valiantly defend with ten-men to take a point.
Kai Havertz scored the opener, before Reece James was sent off for a handball in the box.
Former Chelsea winger Mohamed Salah scored the resulting penalty, but the Reds could not break through an ironclad resistance from the visitors.
The reverse fixture had all the action expected of a top of the table clash, with Liverpool racing into a 2-0 lead in the opening 26 minutes.
The Blues fought back before half-time though with a Mateo Kovacic wonderstrike and a Christian Pulisic goal on the break.
It means that Tuchel will need to find any small advantage possible to get one over his compatriot at Wembley next Sunday and Rio Ferdinand thinks he has spotted a potential advantage.
Speaking on BT Sport for Liverpool’s game against Inter Milan on Wednesday, the former Manchester United defender said: “I would look to get in behind Trent [Alexander-Arnold] because he’s so great going forward and I think [Jurgen] Klopp doesn’t want to actually bring him back and play him a bit deeper.
“We saw with [Andy] Robertson today, especially earlier in the game, he was firing on and then Dumfries was getting out on that side and as the game went on Robertson put the handbrake on, stayed in that area then the space wasn’t there to be played in behind so much.
“The most dominant side the way they were trying to get out, for Inter, was that left side but it’s almost you’re taking away the best attributes of Trent to try and help defensively.
“I think he gives so much going forward, the risk reward we talk about playing high probably helps in that sense.”
While the Liverpool right-back provides a potential weakness at the back, his creative ability cannot be ignored and the Blues cannot be complacent.
Alexander-Arnold may be a focal point that decides the game for either side, but whether that is through his attacking or his defending will remain to be seen.
