Arne Slot’s Liverpool improved their Premier League title race stock with a 2-1 win over Chelsea in an engrossing affair at Anfield on Sunday.
Slot’s Reds had been fantastic, controlling most games, but were second-best for a large portion of the first half and took the lead on a Mohamed Salah penalty.
[ MORE: Liverpool vs Chelsea player ratings ]
Nicolas Jackson had an answer for Chelsea, but Salah fed Curtis Jones for a terrific second-half goal that restored the hosts’ lead.
Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea had more of the ball and an advantage in shot attempts, but Liverpool held firm for a notable win given their unbeaten start had come against the 20th-, 19th-, 17th-, 14th-, 13th-, 11th-, and 10th-place teams on the Premier League table.
WATCH FULL REPLAY
Liverpool go back atop the table with 21 points, one more than City, while Chelsea remain in sixth with 14 points.
Big picture? Both Liverpool and Chelsea are serious threats
There were moments of weakness for both Arne Slot’s Reds and Enzo Maresca’s Blues, but no fair-minded neutral can say either team is missing an ingredient to win any game on their docket. That’s especially true considering Liverpool were playing without all-world goalkeeper Alisson Becker and Chelsea could use neither suspended fullback Marc Cucurella nor center back Wesley Fofana. This 2-1 win could’ve been 2-1 the other way, 2-2, or 3-3. Liverpool showcased discipline, while Chelsea showed the depth of their attacking pieces. And if Romeo Lavia and/or Reece James can consistently play the way they did in their returns to the Starting XI, Chelsea is in very good shape.
What’s next?
Both teams head to ‘the continent.’ Liverpool visit RB Leipzig in Germany for a Wednesday match in the Champions League before a huge 12:30pm ET Sunday scrap at Arsenal.
Chelsea head to Greece for a Thursday afternoon match with Panathinaikos in the Conference League, then host Newcastle at 10am ET Sunday.
How to watch Liverpool vs Chelsea live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 11:30am ET Sunday
Venue: Anfield
TV Channel: USA Network
Streaming: Stream online via NBC.com
Liverpool focus, team news
The Reds are healthy outside the goal, where it’ll be likely be Caoimhin Kelleher for a month as Alisson Becker recovers from a thigh injury. Mohamed Salah has been sensational in attack.
OUT: Harvey Elliott (foot), Alisson Becker (thigh) | QUESTIONABLE: Federico Chiesa (other), Caoimhin Kelleher (illness)
Chelsea focus, team news
The Blues are in rich health and form aside from suspensions. This game will come too soon for Reece James, but he’s finally in full training and expected back early next month.
OUT: Marc Cucurella (suspension), Wesley Fofana (suspension), Reece James (thigh), Omari Kellyman (thigh) | QUESTIONABLE: Levi Colwill (other), Carney Chukwuemeka (illness).
Liverpool vs Chelsea prediction
A good performance by Chelsea would be great for Maresca as it would cement the Blues as top-four contenders while also putting some questions into the early-season strength of Liverpool. But the controlled AC Milan and Bologna, and appear prepared for the step up in class. This really could be something special at Anfield. Liverpool 2-2 Chelsea.
Read the full article here
