Liverpool locked horns with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge earlier today as they looked to secure a win and keep themselves in the Premier League title race. The Reds made a slow start to the game but took the lead courtesy of Sadio Mane’s composed finish in the ninth minute. Mohamed Salah scored a lovely solo goal in the 26th minute to double Liverpool’s advantage. However, Mateo Kovacic scored a cracker from long range to pull one goal back for the Blues in the 42nd minute before Christian Pulisic found the back of the net to make the score level just before the half-time break.
Both teams fought tooth and nail in the second 45 minutes but lacked the cutting edge in the final third as the match finished 2-2 with the Reds coming away with only a point from West London.
Let’s take a look at how each Liverpool player performed during the clash against the Blues.
GK: Caoimhin Kelleher – 7/10
The 23-year-old was composed on the ball and played some neat passes to his defenders. He made a few excellent saves to limit the opposition from scoring more than twice today.
RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold – 7/10
The English right-back picked up an assist but looked vulnerable defensively as the Blues got behind him time and time again in the first half. He was far more solid in the second.
CB: Ibrahima Konate – 6.5/10
Konate was calm on the ball and dealt with the danger when needed. However, he will be disappointed after conceding two goals late in the first half.
CB: Virgil Van Dijk – 6/10
The Dutch centre-back organised his backline well for most of the game but was at fault for not closing down Pulisic in the lead-up to Chelsea’s equaliser.
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LB: Konstantinos Tsimikas – 7/10
The Greek full-back ran his socks off and whipped in some inviting crosses from the left flank. However, his delivery from corners left a lot to be desired.
CM: James Milner – 6/10
The veteran midfield ace gave away a cheap foul in the lead-up to Kovacic’s screamer in the first half. He worked hard but was lackluster after the half-time break.
CM: Fabinho – 6/10
The Brazil international was too slow to get to the ball at times in the first half but produced a more solid display in the second.
CM: Jordan Henderson – 6/10
The Liverpool captain began the game well but looked tired as the match progressed.
RW: Mohamed Salah – 7/10
Salah was excellent in the first half as he scored Liverpool’s second goal with a great run and finish. However, he was quiet in the latter stages of the game.
ST: Diogo Jota – 6/10
He struggled to get into the flow of the game and was guilty of giving away the ball cheaply during his time on the field.
LW: Sadio Mane – 8/10
The Senegal international was always looking to get in behind the opponent’s backline and caused a lot of headaches for the Chelsea defenders. He scored the opening goal with a composed finish.
Substitutes:
CM: Naby Keita – 6/10
He offered very little after coming off the bench.
ST: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – 6/10
The English talent hardly got a sniff at goal.
CM: Curtis Jones – N/A
He hardly had any time to influence the game.
