Liverpool 5-3 Chelsea
At long last, Liverpool have finally gotten their hands on the Premier League trophy. The Reds got to raise their much-awaited prize after their home finale, and while there were no fans in the Anfield stands to join the club celebrate, it was still a special moment for all Reds fans.
Of course, Liverpool still had a match to play before they could begin the celebration. But Chelsea — whose win over Manchester City officially handed Liverpool the title — still had their Champions League future to play for, and they did their best to crash the party as they staged a stirring second-half comeback.
In the end, though, they merely contributed more fireworks to the champions’ coronation as Liverpool once again finished the season unbeaten at Anfield.
Highlights of the game
Chelsea knew they needed a positive result against the champions to help ensure a top-four spot and Champions League football next season, and they really should have been 1-0 ahead after just eight minutes.
Reece James whipped in a beautiful ball which found Mason Mount unmarked in the six-yard box. But the Chelsea midfielder made a complete mess out of his header as it ballooned well over. James came close himself on 16 minutes as his speculative shot from the edge of the box just sliced wide of goal.
However, it was the home side that would go in front with their own spectacular long-range shot care of Naby Keita. The Guinean midfielder has once again failed to produce too many memorable Premier League 2020 highlights this season, but he saved his best for last with an unstoppable strike that flew into the top corner.
Liverpool would double their lead on 38 minutes with another sensational set-piece from Trent Alexander-Arnold. The 21-year-old, who also scored against Chelsea in Liverpool’s 2-1 win at Stamford Bridge earlier this year, once again haunted the Blues with a beautiful Beckham-esque free-kick that gave Kepa no chance.
The champions would get their third goal at the stroke of half-time as Chelsea’s set-piece struggles struck again. After the Blues failed to clear a corner, Gini Wijnaldum was on hand to smash the ball in.
However, Chelsea would pull a goal back in first-half stoppage time. Alisson did well to save Willian’s point-blank shot, but he was unable to prevent Olivier Giroud from sweeping the ball in on the rebound.
Liverpool should have gone back up by three goals five minutes after the break. Mohamed Salah was clean through on goal with only Kepa to beat. But the Egyptian superstar wasted his chance as his shot with the outside of the left boot was well off the mark.
But the Reds would reestablish their three-goal advantage just a few minutes later. This time, Alexander-Arnold was the provider as his pinpoint cross found Roberto Firmino, who got in between two Chelsea defenders and nodded the ball past Kepa.
Immediately after the restart, Chelsea gifted Salah another glorious chance at a goal, but once again the Liverpool star failed to capitalise.
Frank Lampard had seen enough and decided to change things up. He brought on Christian Pulisic, Tammy Abraham, and Callum Hudson-Odoi on the hour mark, and those substitutions would make an immediate impact.
Just minutes after his introduction, Pulisic brilliantly dribbled his way past the entire Liverpool defence and teed up Abraham for Chelsea’s second. And moments after the restart, Pulisic would get a chance of his own to score, but he dragged his shot just wide.
However, the American would get on the scoresheet eventually on 73 minutes. After collecting a pass from fellow substitute Hudson-Odoi, Pulisic showed tremendous composure under pressure before slamming his shot on the turn into the top corner. Game on.
Chelsea’s comeback would fall just short, though, as Liverpool’s own substitute sealed the win six minutes from time. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who came on for the misfiring Salah, finished off a sweeping Liverpool counterattack and made sure that the Liverpool trophy ceremony would be all smiles.
Key statistics
With the win, Liverpool have gone unbeaten in the league at Anfield for the third year running, the first time that’s happened in the club’s illustrious history.
And while they were unable to become the first Premier League team to win all 19 their home games, they did still tie the record for the most points at home in a single campaign (55 out of 57), which they share with Chelsea in 2005-06, Manchester United in 2010-11 and Manchester City in 2011-12.
Mohamed Salah may have missed his chance to win the Premier League Golden Boot outright. The Egyptian is still on 19 goals, four behind leader Jamie Vardy, with one game left to play.
Meanwhile, Roberto Firmino finally got his first league goal of the season at Anfield in the final home game. His last league goal at home came back in March 2019 against Tottenham.
What’s next?
Liverpool are set to end their title-winning campaign away to Newcastle. With the Reds now in party mode, the Premier League 2020 odds for that match could be closer than one would think.
Meanwhile, Chelsea host Wolverhampton Wanderers at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea only need a point to ensure a top-four spot. But if they lose and Manchester United and Leicester draw in their match, they would be out of the Champions League.
So be sure to stay with SBOBET for all the last-day drama in the Premier League!
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