Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea
Liverpool and Chelsea join West Ham at the top of the Premier League table after playing out a pulsating draw at Anfield.
In a game packed with big players, some of the best in Europe, it was Kai Havertz who struck first, guiding an exquisite header home to give Chelsea a lead and it was Mo Salah who levelled from the penalty spot. But the game swung in Liverpool’s favour as Chelsea’s Reece James was sent off and the Blues had their backs against the wall for much of the second half.
They responded magnificently, holding Liverpool at bay to grab a hard-earned and valuable point.
Highlights of the game
With a packed Anfield crowd roaring on their heroes the Reds started brightly and young Harvey Elliot got the home fans on their feet when he unleashed a fierce drive which flew just inches wide of the post.
Chelsea had a couple of early openings snuffed out by the Reds who are buoyed by Virgil van Dijk’s return to fitness which has given their defence a more resolute look; and the return today of wing-back Andrew Robertson added more attacking verve. The flying Scot shoed what the Reds have been missing when he sprinted down the left wing before curling a dangerous ball in, which Marcos Alonso cleared off the toes of Mo Salah.
But the home crowd fell silent on 21 minutes when the Blues went ahead. Wing back James swung a corner in from the left flank and Havertz leapt high at the near post to send a brilliant looping header over the floundering Alisson and into the net.
The pre-match SBOTOP odds gave Liverpool a slight edge but the momentum had shifted well and truly in Chelsea’s direction. They looked dangerous on the break and while Liverpool pressed, the threat of a second goal loomed large. Romelu Lukaku made an explosive start to his return, scoring within 15 minutes in Chelsea’s 2-0 victory over Arsenal and he was close to creating a second today when he shrugged off a challenge from Joel Matip before sliding a ball through to Mason Mount who fired just wide of the far post.
Then, in first half stoppage time the game turned on its head. After an almighty scramble Sadio Mane poked the ball goal-wards and James blocked it on the line, but the ball had bounced off his knee onto his arm and the referee pointed to the spot, and red carded James. The penalty was fair enough but the card was harsh and the Chelsea players went crazy. But Salah was the coolest man in the ground as he sent Edouard Mendy the wrong way and the Anfield crowd erupted.
Chelsea were up against it now, Tuchel brought on Thiago Silva to replace Havertz and Liverpool piled forward at the start of the second half. Jordan Henderson fired a shot narrowly wide and Mendy reacted quickly to push away an effort from Robertson. Salah almost got in behind Alonso but the Chelsea player stuck a foot out just before the Egyptian could pull the trigger. But the Blues still carried a threat on the break and Lukaku had a shot charged down.
Liverpool threw the kitchen sink at it but the quality just wasn’t there to match Chelsea’s defiant defence.
Key statistics
The first half was evenly matched but the 11 versus ten men made a big difference as Liverpool won the shot count by 21 to six, with 65 per cent possession.
In all competitions, only Mason Mount, with six goals, has scored more under Thomas Tuchel than Havertz who has five.
Liverpool are 13 matches unbeaten in the Premier League but head coach Jurgen Klopp will be frustrated.
What’s next?
When the midday Premier League updates flowed in, the news that Manchester City had blown away Arsenal with a 5-0 trouncing meant these two teams knew they couldn’t afford to give up their early ground. The Premier League betting odds are backing the Sky Blues, and with Manchester United on the verge of signing Cristiano Ronaldo the stakes are rising. This was a must not lose game but to Chelsea it will feel like a win, and now the teams take a back seat during the international break.
After the break Liverpool head to Leeds for a mouth-watering clash, and then they have a tough home Champions League encounter against Serie A giants AC Milan.
Meanwhile, Chelsea are at home to Aston Villa, before beginning their Champions League defence at home to Zenit St.Petersburg.
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