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The key to nullifying Liverpool’s pacy attack is to deny them space in behind, according to Chelsea manager Antonio Conte.
Mo Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane have scored a staggering 88 goals between them this season and were in devastating form as they ripped apart Roma in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final victory over Roma.
Conte’s side still have an outside chance of a Champions League spot this season, but must beat Liverpool when the two sides meet at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
The third-placed Reds have two games remaining and are six points clear. Tottenham are five points clear of Chelsea but, like the Blues, have three games left. Both Liverpool and Spurs have a far superior goal difference.
Conte said: “Against Roma, this game showed that if you give them a lot of space behind the defensive line they are very dangerous and you can have a lot of trouble.
“They have three special players who are very good to attack the space – Salah, Firmino and Sane. We must pay great attention defensively and we must be very compact.”
Firmino and Mane have managed 45 club goals between them this season, while Salah has a incredible 43 goals for the Reds.
Conte added: “This season for Salah is a fantastic season and. For sure we are talking about a really good player.
“I knew him when he played in Italy. But to have this type of season it will be very difficult to predict. We are talking about a player with specific characteristics – good technically and also very fast.
“But also in this season, he is very clinical. Every chance he has, he is very good to take the opportunities.”