Liverpool hosted Chelsea at Anfield with Maurizio Sarri’s side looking to return to winning ways after their disappointing 0-0 draw at West Ham United last weekend. The visitors began the match on the front foot and bossed the game in the first half while Jurgen Klopp’s men looked to play on the counter. However, despite creating some excellent chances, both teams went in level at half-time.
The home team were more dominant in the second half and broke the deadlock in the 58th minute courtesy of an acrobatic finish from Daniel Sturridge. However, Sarri’s players responded well in the final quarter of the contest and found an equaliser in the 79th minute through Emerson Palmieri’s tap-in from close range. Eden Hazard completed the comeback just six minutes later when he beat two Liverpool defenders to score with an emphatic finish. Chelsea ran out 2-1 winners on the night handing the Reds their first defeat of the season.
Let’s take a look at how each Chelsea player fared during the encounter against the Reds.
GK: Willy Caballero – 6.5/10
He made a few solid saves during the game and was also good with his distribution from the back.
RB: César Azpilicueta – 6/10
The Spaniard worked hard for the Pensioners but had a lot of trouble dealing with Sadio Mane’s pace on the flank.
CB: Andreas Christensen – 5/10
Looked a bit off the pace and was guilty of making a few errors during his time on the pitch.
CB: Gary Cahill – 7/10
The English centre-back made some excellent tackles and did enough to stop Liverpool from scoring more than once at Anfield.
LB: Emerson Palmieri dos Santos – 6.5/10
The full-back kept Xherdan Shaqiri quiet and scored the critical equaliser from close range which helped his team mount a comeback.
CM: Cesc Fàbregas – 7/10
The Spaniard bossed the midfield in the first half and was excellent with his distribution. However, his impact faded a bit after the half-time break.
CM: Mateo Kovacic – 6/10
The Croatian worked hard during his time on the pitch and provided some defensive cover in midfield.
CM: Ross Barkley – 5.5/10
The English midfielder showed some flashes of his old self but couldn’t do much with the chances that fell to him.
RM: Victor Moses – 6/10
He was the most hardworking Chelsea player in the first half but was a spectator after the half-time break.
ST: Álvaro Morata – 4/10
The Spaniard got a lot of chances to score in the first half but failed to provide the decisive touch in the final third. He looks like a striker struggling with confidence, and it clearly showed on the pitch.
LM: Willian – 5/10
The Brazilian started the game brightly going forward but looked far from his best. He was also guilty of playing some wayward passes.
Substitutes:
CAM: Eden Hazard – 8/10
The Belgian initially came on and struggled to get himself into the game. However, Hazard came alive in the latter stages of the contest to earn his team a priceless win.
CM: NGolo Kante – 7/10
He provided some much-needed defensive cover and turned the tide in midfield after coming off the bench.
CB: David Luiz – 6/10
The Brazilian came on and did enough defensively to see out the victory for his team.
