Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea: Blues end losing run with battling display and FA Cup final blueprint
McFarlane has featured Chelsea in a back three for the first time in the interim and the fourth time overall this season.
Under Rosenior, they used the system to lose twice against Premier League opponents and narrowly beat Wrexham in the FA Cup. There was little sign that the form, which Enzo Maresca had never used during his 18-month tenure, would be effective.
However, the return of defender Levi Colwill to his first start in 10 months since the Fifa Club World Cup final provided greater stability in possession of the ball and playing out from the back.
“I thought Levi was the best player on the field,” McFarlane said. “He gives you the ability to play from the back, he is a leader and this was his first 90 minutes in a long time.”
The 23-year-old England centre-back returned in a partnership he enjoyed alongside Wesley Fofana, who was previously ruled out by McFarlane.
Dutchman Jorrel Hato was also recalled as he was one of the few Chelsea players to perform consistently during a difficult run.
The system also allowed Cucurella to move higher as an attacking winger and take advantage of makeshift Liverpool full-back Curtis Jones on that side.
Cole Palmer, who has been struggling for form, was also brighter and came close to ending a goalless run in club football that has now stretched to 10 games with a marginal offside clearance effort against Cucurella.
He offered a constructive solution for a team without four senior wingers and forced to include two academy players – 17-year-old attackers Mathis Eboue and Ryan Kavuma-McQueen – on the bench.
Captain Reece James also made his first appearance as a substitute in almost a month, with Chelsea hopeful Alejandro Garnacho and Pedro Neto will return to face City.
Last summer, Chelsea could point to victories over the champions of Spain, Italy, England and France on their way to Club World Cup success against Paris St-Germain; this was proof that they could win one-off matches against elite opponents.
But the picture in the Premier League remains bleak for a team that, according to its own hierarchy, is expected to at least qualify for the Champions League and has failed to reach fifth place.
Chelsea have kept a clean sheet in 14 Premier League matches (their longest run since a 15-match winning streak between March and May 1979) and have won just one of their last 11 top-flight matches.
Following the dismal defeat to second-placed Forest, McFarlane struck a more positive tone, adding: “We got the response we wanted and hopefully we can build on that.
“It was a good point and a good performance. It was a game that could have gone either way. We had moments to win it, so it was disappointing in that respect, but it was a much improved performance and I’m pleased.”
By beating Leeds 1-0 in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley, McFarlane proved he can build a team that can perform under pressure and this could be a step towards lifting the trophy.
