Liverpool entertained Chelsea at Anfield earlier this evening hoping to pick up a positive result at home. The Reds began the match on the front foot and took the lead in the 23rd minute via Naby Keita’s thunderous strike from outside the box. Trent Alexander-Arnold doubled the home side’s lead just 15 minutes later with a brilliant free-kick from long range. Georginio Wijnaldum added one more for Liverpool in the 43rd minute before Olivier Giroud got one back for Chelsea in the first-half injury time.
Roberto Firmino restored his side’s three-goal lead in the 55th minute via his header from close range. However, Tammy Abraham came up with a response just six minutes later. Christian Pulisic gave the Londoners real hope when he cut the advantage to just one goal with his finish from close range.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain made the points secure for the Reds with his well-executed finish in the 84th minute. The contest ended with Liverpool securing a dominant 5-3 victory over the Blues at Merseyside.
Let’s take a look at how each Liverpool player fared during the match against the Blues.
GK: Alisson Becker – 5/10
The Brazilian goalie didn’t do much wrong in the game, but ended up conceding three goals today.
RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold – 9/10
The English full-back scored with a beautiful free-kick and also got a brilliant assist in the second half. He was defensively solid as well and deserved the man of the match award.
CB: Joe Gomez – 6/10
The English centre-back was resolute defensively, but lacked the pace to get back on a couple of occasions during the game.
CB: Virgil Van Dijk – 5/10
He was not his commanding self at the back and looked a bit jaded at times during the game. He won’t be happy after conceding three goals tonight.
LB: Andrew Robertson – 8.5/10
The Scottish full-back was full of energy and running down the left flank and got a well-deserved assist to show for his efforts.
CM: Naby Keita – 8.5/10
The Guinean midfield ace showed why Liverpool brought him for a premium tonight. He was mesmerising to watch in the first half and scored the opening goal with a stunning strike.
CM: Fabinho – 7/10
The Brazilian midfielder controlled the game well in midfield and made some important tackles for his team.
CM: Georginio Wijnaldum – 8/10
The Dutch midfielder worked his socks off and got a deserved goal to show for his troubles.
RW: Mohamed Salah – 5.5/10
The Egyptian winger made a few promising runs, but was wasteful in the final third.
ST: Roberto Firmino – 8/10
The Liverpool maestro linked up play well in the opposition half and finally ended his long goal-drought at Anfield with a powerful header.
LW: Sadio Mane – 8/10
The Senegalese winger was a constant menace for the opposition as he caused a lot of problems down the left-wing.
Substitutes:
CM: James Milner – 6/10
He provided some fresh legs in midfield.
CM: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – 7/10
The English playmaker came on to score the decisive goal in the second half.
CM: Curtis Jones – 6/10
He passed the ball well going forward.
ST: Divock Origi – N/A
Not enough time to make an impact.
CAM: Takumi Minamino – N/A
The Japanese international came on to run the clock down.
