Liverpool got the better of the Blues in a 2-1 victory at the Anfield last weekend. And now they are again at the top of the table in the Premier League with 21 points on their name in 8 games. Pep Guardiola’s City are just behind them trailing by 1 point and Arsenal are 4 points behind them at the 3rd spot.
As for Chelsea, they have lost their top 4 spot to Aston Villa. And are currently at the 6th place, behind Brighton with 14 points on their name after the Liverpool game. Despite of loosing against the Reds, Maresca was happy with his team. He said that they played the way he wanted but the results were not what they desired.
Match overview
Chelsea went to the Merseyside with full of confidence as they were on a unbeaten streak since September. But still the Blues were on disadvantage as key defenders Wesley Fofana and Marc Cucurella were suspended ahead of the game. We also witnessed the surprising return of Chelsea captain Reece James in the starting xi for the first time this season after coming back from hamstring injury.
First half
The clash started with a early yellow card to Chelsea number 4 Tosin Adarabioyo. As he dragged down Reds striker Diogo Jota from breaking through the defence at the 6th minute. However, Liverpool never stopped causing trouble for the Blues defenders in the first half. And eventually won a penalty in the 26th minute when Levi Colwill fouled Curtis Jones in the box.
It was smooth as butter for Mo Salah to place the ball into Sanchez’s net. As the Reds got a first half lead before the 30th minute. However, right after that Jota was forced to go off the pitch as he couldn’t continue anymore after taking a knock earlier in the game. Liverpool was awarded another penalty in the latter stages of the first half but it was overturned after a VAR review.
Second half
Coming into the second half, Chelsea had only 3 shots and none of them were on target. But they turned things on in the second half. A goal from Nicolas Jackson just after 3 minutes into the second half raised the hopes of the Chelsea fans. A great ball from Caicedo through the middle found the Senegalese, who didn’t make a mistake to find the net.
However, the joy didn’t last long on Chelsea fans faces. As Liverpool got their lead for the second time that evening in the 51st minute, when Jones caught the Blues defence off guard from Salah’s cross and scored a wonderful goal despite of a sloppy first touch. And the scoreline remained the same despite the Blues tried their very best to break through Liverpool’s defence, but couldn’t manage to do so.
The Blues produced 9 shots in the second half out of which only 2 were on target. On the other hand, the Reds were on the back foot as they only managed to produce 4 shots in the second half.
Player Ratings
It was quite obvious that Curtis Jones won the POTM award that evening. It seemed like he was on a mission to trouble the visitors as the 23-year-old was involved in both the goals they scored.
Liverpool (4-2-3-1):
- Caoimhin Kelleher (GK)- 7/10
- Trent Alexander-Arnold (RB)- 7/10
- Ibrahima Konate (CB)- 7.5/10
- Virgil Van Dijk (CB)- 7.5/10
- Andy Robertson (LB)- 7/10
- Ryan Gravenberch (CM)- 7.5/10
- Curtis Jones (CM)- 9/10
- Dominik Szoboszlai (AMF)- 8/10
- Mohammed Salah (RW)- 8.5/10
- Cody Gakpo (LW)- 5.5/10
- Diogo Jota (ST)- 6/10
Substitutes:
- Darwin Nunez– 7/10
- Joe Gomez– 7/10
- Luis Diaz– 6.5/10
- Alexis Mac Allister– 5/10
Chelsea (4-2-3-1)
- Roberto Sanchez (GK)- 7/10
- Reece James (RB)- 5/10
- Tosin Adarabioyo (CB)- 5.5/10
- Levi Colwill (CB)- 6/10
- Malo Gusto (LB)- 6/10
- Moises Caicedo (DMF)- 8/10
- Romeo Lavia (DMF)- 6/10
- Cole Palmer (AMF)- 6/10
- Noni Madueke (RW)- 6.5/10
- Jadon Sancho (LW)- 5.5/10
- Nioclas Jackson (ST)- 7.5/10
Substitutes:
- Pedro Neto– 7.5/10
- Benoit Badiashile– 5.5/10
- Renato Veiga– 6/10
- Enzo Fernandez– 6.5/10
- Christopher Nkunku– 6/10
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