Liverpool’s tactical vulnerability down the right flank was impossible to ignore during their 1-1 draw with Chelsea at Anfield, and now the Blues’ interim boss has effectively confirmed what many fans suspected all along.

Curtis Jones was once again deployed at right-back by Arne Slot, but Chelsea repeatedly exploited the space around the Liverpool midfielder-turned-defender. Marc Cucurella caused havoc all afternoon, and former Red Jason McAteer was quick to flag the issue after the final whistle, insisting Jones’ natural instinct to drift into midfield left Liverpool dangerously exposed.

Now Chelsea interim head coach Calum McFarlane has openly admitted that was exactly the plan. Speaking via chelseafc.com after the match, McFarlane explained why Cucurella was used in such an aggressive, unorthodox role.

“He is not a winger, but he has played there before,” McFarlane said. “Even when he plays left-back or rolls into midfield, his movement off the ball is of a real high quality—the timing, the understanding of when to do it.”

Then came the admission that will sting Liverpool supporters most: “So it’s something that we knew with him in that position we could maybe expose.”

That assessment aligns perfectly with what McAteer argued during his post-match analysis. The former Liverpool midfielder stressed that Jones needed to stay disciplined rather than wander centrally, especially once Chelsea started finding joy down that flank through Cucurella’s intelligent movement.

It’s hard to argue with the criticism. After Ryan Gravenberch’s early goal should have settled Anfield, Liverpool completely lost control once Chelsea gained confidence. The pressing disappeared, the defensive structure became stretched, and the tactical imbalance was there for everyone to see.

For Liverpool fans and players alike, this serves as a reminder that even the brightest starts can unravel when tactical discipline slips—especially against a side willing to exploit every weakness.