2024-10-21 04:35:03
Liverpool beat Chelsea 2-1 at Anfield on Sunday afternoon as Arne Slot’s side returned to the top of the Premier League table.
An end-to-end first half failed to create any real chances of note before Curtis Jones produced a brilliant block on Cole Palmer, and then raced into the Chelsea box to win a penalty.
Salah converted from the spot and Liverpool were in the ascendancy from there, with Cody Gakpo having a goal ruled out before half-time.
The second half started in a similarly frantic fashion, though Chelsea landed the first blow, equakising quickly after Nicolas Jackson latched onto a brilliant through ball from Moises Caicedo.
But parity was short-lived, as Curtis Jones got to the end of a Salah cross to poke past Sanchez for 2-1 in the 51st minute.
The rest of the half was far less eventful, with neither side managing to fashion a chance of note before seven minutes were added on.
The home side looked to close out the game as the Blues tried to mount some final attacks, and the Reds’ defence stood firm to confirm the three points.
Follow all the Premier League action with our live blog below:
Liverpool vs Chelsea LIVE
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Liverpool host Chelsea in the Premier League
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51’ GOAL! Jones pokes in to give Liverpool the lead again (LIV 2-1 CHE)
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48’ GOAL! Jackson equalises after a great ball from Caicedo (LIV 1-1 CHE)
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33′ DISALLOWED GOAL! Gakpo taps in but Salah had strayed offside (LIV 1-0 CHE)
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28’ GOAL! Salah converts from the penalty spot (LIV 1-0 CHE)
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27’ PENALTY! Colwill brings down Jones (LIV 0-0 CHE)
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Liverpool XI: Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Szoboszlai, Gravenberch, Jones; Salah, Jota, Gakpo
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Chelsea XI: Sanchez; James, Tosin, Colwill, Gusto; Lavia, Caicedo; Madueke, Palmer, Sancho; Jackson
Liverpool FC 2 – 1 Chelsea FC
Curtis Jones embodies former Liverpool great as questions raised over Chelsea’s title chances
19:33 , Chris Wilson
When Arne Slot had suggested Chelsea were potential champions, it posed the question of whether they could keep up with Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool. It soon transpired they could not keep up with the Joneses.
Or not Curtis Jones, anyway. Winners are not always scored by the best player on the pitch but, in a match that could shape two clubs’ seasons, this one was. Jones’ display of extraordinary dynamism restored Liverpool to the top of the table. It meant that Chelsea, already beaten by Manchester City, have failed their two biggest tests of the season so far. Liverpool, now seven points clear of them, have passed their toughest.
They did so courtesy of a couple of very different indictments of Chelsea’s transfer business. Many a charge can be levelled at Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital but it was a previous Chelsea regime who let Mohamed Salah leave. With a goal and an assist, he gave them added reasons to regret a past mistake. If Jones is precisely the kind of player the modern-day Chelsea would sell, Liverpool do not need to dispense with homegrown talents for pure profit. Jones joined them at nine. At 23, he had one of his finest afternoons in a red shirt.
Jones embodies former Liverpool great as questions raised over Chelsea’s title chance
Post-match reaction
20:00 , Chris Wilson
Despite criticising Sanchez, Carragher is full of praise for Chelsea overall.
“I thought Chelsea were excellent,” he says.
“When managers come up against each other they try to do something different to throw the oppositions setup.
“They caused Liverpool problems. In terms of control of the game Chelsea were better, but what let them down was the goalkeeper.
“The thing Chelsea didn’t do enough of in the second half was create chances.
“Liverpool were hanging on at times and they were hanging on to get to the final whistle,” he adds.
Post-match reaction
19:50 , Chris Wilson
From Chelsea’s point of view, the pundits are unsure on the role of Sanchez when they conceded the second goal.
“It’s so poor from Chelsea’s point [of view]. Reece James ambles in there,” says Carragher.
“The goalkeeper is so poor. It was a poor touch from Curtis Jones really, and it’s poor from the goalkeeper, Robert Sanchez.
“Sanchez has got to go and win that ball.
“Jones should be terrified that a goalkeeper is coming towards him. You have got to get there and hope it hits you in the face and you keep it out.
“Chelsea need a new goalkeeper if they want to get back to where they want to be,” he adds.
Pundits react on Sky
19:44 , Chris Wilson
There’s plenty more coming from Carragher, Richards and Sturridge on TV.
The first notable comments surround Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson, who Sturridge is keen to defend.
“Nicolas Jackson is pivotal to the system,” he says.
“He’s good at going into the false nine position. It was a fantastic finish, calm in front of goal.
“I am analysing him on open play. I’m not analysing him on statistics, I don’t think he’s devastating in front of goal, but I think he has what it takes to get there.
“When you’re playing in the spotlight at any top club you are judged because of likes of Drogba, Anelka and Crespo – you’re judging him compared to those world-class strikers.
“I think we have been a bit too critical,” he adds.
19:37 , Chris Wilson
Reece James also briefly spoke to Sky after the match.
“Coming here is always tough,” he said.
“I think we controlled most of the game. They had chances but we had a few chances as well but didn’t take them.
“We are definitely moving in the right direction. The scoreline doesn’t reflect the game,” he added.
“If we step back and look at performances and what we are trying to do, we have come a long way. It is still early days, we haven’t been with the manager long.”
FT: Liverpool 2-1 Chelsea
19:21 , Chris Wilson
Enzo Maresca is next to speak to Sky. He says Chelsea “don’t like to lose or drop points, but I really liked the performance”.
“We deserved something more but the performance was good.
“We controlled most of the game. We had chances, we had possession. We don’t like to lose, but if we have to choose this is the way. The team was brave on and off the ball.
“I don’t think this game defines where we are. We prepared in the best way, it worked quite well. You have to take chances, but overall I am very happy with the players.”
On refereeing decisions, he adds: “I didn’t see anything in terms of decisions from the referee. The only thing I can see is in this stadium is is something the noise of the crowd.
“The only thing I can say is the referee is there to make decisions. Sometimes they are right, sometimes they are wrong. Sometimes it is because of the noise [of the crowd], but overall I think they did OK.”
FT: Liverpool 2-1 Chelsea
19:07 , Chris Wilson
Arne Slot is understandably delighted as he speaks to Sky.
“The most important thing, if you want to have a chance of winning a game like this, is that you work so hard, which we did,” he says.
“In the meantime, we created a few very good chances, and were a bit unlucky with some decisions,” he adds.
“I think it could’ve been a crucial decision to overturn the referee’s decision [on the penalty]. If you look at it on a screen, you still feel it is a penalty.”
He adds that he thinks the early last-man challenge from Tosin on Jota was also a red card.
“The fans helped us a lot, it probably comes from these decisions.
“In the end, a good win against a very strong Chelsea,” he says, before adding that Curtis Jones put in a “very good individual performance”.
“Curtis had a difficult job, he had to control Cole Palmer, which is not easy. He was very important for us on both parts of the pitch.
“Everybody who saw the game knows it wasn’t easy. For us it’s very good that we made a bit of a gap now.”
FULL-TIME! Liverpool 2-1 Chelsea
19:02 , Chris Wilson
On Sky, Jamie Carragher has hailed Jones’ performance, calling it a “throwback”.
“Curtis Jones was brilliant, he was outstanding,” said Carragher.
“He’s still at that stage where he doesn’t know for certain if he is first choice, when you have got Gravenberch and Mac Allister.
“But what a performance that was, when you think of the quality on the pitch and the money that has been spent. For a local lad to be player of the match.
“I wonder if Arne Slot is going to go back in for Zubimendi in January, but when you see how he played today you think ‘no’.
“He has to now do it on a consistent basis.”
FULL-TIME! Liverpool 2-1 Chelsea
18:56 , Chris Wilson
Matchwinner Curtis Jones is first to speak to Sky.
“We came away with a win, it’s the most important thing obviously,” he says.
“I had it in my mind, if I can keep Cole [Palmer] quiet then that’s a large part of the game.
On the penalties, he says: “I never dive, I felt the contact, so I went down”.
“If you want to play in this team, you’ve got to run, you’ve got to have energy, you’ve got to help out.
On his goal, he adds: “There’s been times when I’ve arrived in the box and it’s been a first-time one. I thought it was going to come and it did, and I was fortunate enough. I got the goal.”He finishes by calling his newborn daughter “a little dream”.
Premier League table
18:52 , Chris Wilson
That result means Liverpool return to the top of the league table. The Reds sit on 21 points, one above Manchester City and four above Arsenal.
Chelsea miss the chance to enter the top three, and they stay sixth, on 14 points.
FULL-TIME! Liverpool 2-1 Chelsea
18:47 , Chris Wilson
So, an entertaining match comes to an end at Anfield and Liverpool return to the top of the Premier League table.
The Reds probably deserved the win in the end, though Chelsea produced a good performance to take them all the way. However, in attack, Chelsea couldn’t create enough and paid the price for a couple of defensive lapses.
Arne Slot’s side have answered yet another question thrown at them, and if they carry on like this, they may work themselves into the title conversation.
18:40 , Chris Wilson
FULL-TIME! Liverpool 2-1 Chelsea
18:35 , Chris Wilson
FULL-TIME!
The referee brings the match to an end and Liverpool return to the top of the table!
Liverpool 2-1 Chelsea
18:34 , Chris Wilson
96 mins
Whisltes around Anfield as Chelsea come forward, but the attack breaks down after a foul from Nunez. That one was harsh.
Chelsea mount what must be a final attack…the ball is squared to Gusto but his shot is blocked!
Liverpool 2-1 Chelsea
18:33 , Chris Wilson
95 mins
Liverpool have a rare attack and Salah threads it to the overlapping Diaz, but he’s flagged for offside.
From the Chelsea counter, Gomez slides in brilliantly to cut the pass out, and Liverpool come forward again. The attack is led by Diaz, who weaves into the box before cutting outside and curling an effort past the far post.
Liverpool 2-1 Chelsea
18:31 , Chris Wilson
94 mins
Chelsea are in possession but it’s a little too pedestrian to threaten the home side. They do fashion a half-chance though, as Neto clips a ball towards the back post. Nkunku is running in but he has to stretch too much as he gets a foot to it, and he can only direct it behind.
Liverpool 2-1 Chelsea
18:29 , Chris Wilson
92 mins
Palmer skips past a challenge but is brought down by Mac Allister, and it’ll be a set-piece in dangerous territory for Chelsea.
Palmer delivers the cross but Veiga heads over from about six yards!
Liverpool 2-1 Chelsea
18:27 , Chris Wilson
90 mins
Liverpool do mount a rare attack and it ends with Caicedo committing a foul midway into the Chelsea half.
There’ll be an additional seven minutes at Anfield! Liverpool throw forward the men for the free-kick when the board goes up, but the set-piece comes to nothing.
Liverpool 2-1 Chelsea
18:26 , Chris Wilson
89 mins
Liverpool are certainly looking to close out the game at the moment, as opposed to pouring numbers forward looking for a third. Chelsea aren’t threatening a lot, to be honest, but you’d think they’ll have at least one more chance.
Liverpool 2-1 Chelsea
18:25 , Richard Jolly at Anfield
It does feel as though the next 5 minutes or so could go a long way towards shaping both clubs’ seasons – win and it is easier to call Liverpool title challengers, lose and it is more likely the best-case scenario for Chelsea is fourth place. An open affair means a comeback is feasible, but so is a bigger win. Either way, there feels one more goal left in this game.
Liverpool 2-1 Chelsea
18:24 , Chris Wilson
87 mins
Liverpool try pressing high but Chelsea make their way out of it thanks to some good passing and a shimmy from Caicedo. The home side win a free-kick in the end though after a tired challenge.
Liverpool 2-1 Chelsea
18:23 , Chris Wilson
85 mins
Gusto is down briefly after a heavy challenge from Mac Allister. He’s okay to carry on though.
Chelsea attack and it ends with Gomez putting it behind for a corner. Gusto clips the ball in towards the back post, and it’s headed away for a throw, before Neto is dispossessed as he tried to knock it past Gomez.
Liverpool 2-1 Chelsea
18:19 , Chris Wilson
83 mins
Will there be another big chance in this match? Common sense would say yes, but it really doesn’t feel like it at the moment. Both sides are playing in quite a pedestrian manner, and a lot of the earlier energy has left the game for now.
18:17 , Chris Wilson
80 mins
Sanchez tries to launch a Chelsea counter but Nkunku is scythed down by his compatriot Konate. He is booked for his troubles.
Alexis Mac Allister comes on Jones for in midfield, while Alexander-Arnold comes off for Joe Gomez.
Liverpool 2-1 Chelsea
18:16 , Chris Wilson
79 mins
Diaz is brought down by Veiga near halfway and the Portuguese is booked.
Liverpool try and launch an attack but there’s no space between the lines, so they work it back to Konate, before Diaz eventually fizzes a low shot too close to Sanchez.
Liverpool 2-1 Chelsea
18:14 , Chris Wilson
77 mins
Alexander-Arnold delivers the cross from the set-piece but it’s headed away too easily. Liverpool collect the ball again, with Salah sending it forward to the overlapping Szoboszlai, but his cutback it cut out by Fernandez.
Liverpool 2-1 Chelsea
18:12 , Chris Wilson
75 mins
Badiashile bundles into Nunez and he concedes a naive free-kick near the byline.
Chelsea make another change as Noni Madueke makes way for Christopher Nkunku.
Liverpool 2-1 Chelsea
18:10 , Chris Wilson
73 mins
Both sides are struggling to keep the ball for sustained periods, and there have been few attacks of note since it went to 2-1. Chelsea will certainly feel like they’re still in it though.
Szoboszlai’s pass is cut out by Fernandez and it runs to Neto, who surges towards the box and unleashes a shot from distance that bobbles past the far post.
Liverpool 2-1 Chelsea
18:07 , Chris Wilson
71 mins
Lovely play from Neto to get away from Alexander-Arnold and poke it to Palmer. He has Jackson to his right but he opts to shoot, and it’s blocked.
Liverpool 2-1 Chelsea
18:06 , Chris Wilson
69 mins
Nunez gets a booking after a late challenge on Badiashile. Needless.
Veiga clips a ball forward and it’s an awkward one for Alexander-Arnold, as it’s not quite running to Kelleher, but the duo deal with it eventually.
Liverpool 2-1 Chelsea
18:05 , Chris Wilson
68 mins
A little bit of commotion as Badiashile looks to have pushed over Nunez, but VAR waves it away.
Liverpool 2-1 Chelsea
18:02 , Chris Wilson
65 mins
Luis Diaz comes on for Gakpo for the home side. His first involvement sees him try to latch on to Salah’s chipped through ball, but there’s too much on it.
Liverpool 2-1 Chelsea
18:01 , Chris Wilson
65 mins
Palmer’s free-kick hits the wall and bounces out for a corner.
Fernandez takes, with Gusto eventually putting the ball into the box, but Chelsea are penalised as Nunez is sent tumbling over.
Liverpool 2-1 Chelsea
18:00 , Chris Wilson
63 mins
Neto plays in a looping cross that falls to Madueke, though he can only direct his volley straight at Kelleher.
Chelsea win it back quickly, before Neto wins a free-kick on the edge of the box after drawing the foul from Gravenberch. A few yards in front of where Palmer scored against Brighton.
Liverpool 2-1 Chelsea
17:57 , Chris Wilson
60 mins
Lovely play from Salah and Gravenberch as they exchange passes before the former fizzes a great diagonal pass to Gakpo. The Dutchman drives at the Chelsea defence before cutting inside and firing over.
Liverpool 2-1 Chelsea
17:55 , Chris Wilson
58 mins
Chelsea are enjoying more of the ball at the moment, though Robertson nips in to win possession. Not a lot happening at the moment.
Liverpool 2-1 Chelsea
17:53 , Richard Jolly at Anfield
It is a game that increasingly appears to revolve around Curtis Jones who, at various points, may have denied Chelsea a goal with a block, earned Liverpool a penalty, seemed to have got them a second and has now scored. He has been terrific. And, of course, he cost Liverpool nothing whereas Chelsea now have the £222m double act together, in Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez.
Liverpool 2-1 Chelsea
17:53 , Chris Wilson
56 mins
The game has settled a little after those two early goals. Chelsea launch an attack as Veiga feeds Neto, but his cross is collected by Kelleher.
Liverpool 2-1 Chelsea
17:51 , Chris Wilson
53 mins
Chelsea respond to the setback by making a triple change. Lavia, James and Tosin come off for Enzo Fernandez, Renato Veiga and Benoit Badiashile.
GOAL! Liverpool 2-1 Chelsea
17:49 , Chris Wilson
52 mins
GOAL! The home side are ahead again almost straight away, and it comes from their best player on the day.
Salah collects on the right and he cuts inside before swinging in a lovely cross. Jones has made the deep run and he takes a brilliant touch to get it out of his feet before poking it past the onrushing Sanchez.
A great finish.
GOAL! Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea
17:46 , Chris Wilson
49 mins
The goal is given! Far too easy from a Liverpool point of view, but well worked from Chelsea and a great through ball from Caicedo.
Liverpool 1-0 Chelsea
17:45 , Chris Wilson
47 mins
DISALLOWED GOAL! This will be close!
Jackson latches onto a through ball and he’s clean through in-behind. He drives towards the box and slots it past Kelleher with ease.
The flag goes up but it looks like Jackson was quite clearly onside.
KICK-OFF! Liverpool 1-0 Chelsea
17:42 , Chris Wilson
Liverpool get the second half started.
Chelsea made a change at the break – Sancho comes off for Pedro Neto.
HALF-TIME! Liverpool 1-0 Chelsea
17:41 , Chris Wilson
The two teams are re-emerging from the Anfield tunnel, so we’re moments away from the second half starting.
HALF-TIME! Liverpool 1-0 Chelsea
17:37 , Chris Wilson
It was just one minute and 54 seconds between Jones’ brilliant block on Palmer and then him winning the penalty. Small margins.
Liverpool dominated somewhat after their goal, and were unlucky to have a second ruled out after Salah strayed offside.
Chelsea have shown flashes of what they can do, especially with Madueke on the right wing, but they need to get Palmer into the game more.
HALF-TIME! Liverpool 1-0 Chelsea
17:32 , Chris Wilson
HALF-TIME! Liverpool 1-0 Chelsea
17:26 , Chris Wilson
53 mins
HALF-TIME!
Szoboszlai is booked after pulling back Palmer and then kicking the ball away.
The free-kick is the last event of the half as James’ delivery is then headed away by the Hungarian. The referee then brings the first half to an end at Anfield.
An entertaining 45 minutes for the neutral, and Chelsea have performed okay despite trailing, but they’ll know that the game can escape you quickly at Anfield, as it so almost did.
Liverpool 1-0 Chelsea
17:24 , Chris Wilson
51 mins
CLOSE! The ball is played forward to Madueke on the right wing and he’s got plenty of space. So does Palmer, and Madueke lays it off to his England teammate, but Palmer fires over.
Liverpool 1-0 Chelsea
17:23 , Chris Wilson
49 mins
We’ve had the allotted added time, but there’ll be another couple of minutes.
Chelsea launch a counter, led by Madueke, but Nunez wins the ball back. Liverpool try to go on their own counter, but Caicedo does well to dispossess Szoboszlai.
PENALTY OVERTURNED! Liverpool 1-0 Chelsea
17:21 , Chris Wilson
48 mins
Surely this will be overturned. It was a good challenge from Sanchez in the end!
The Spaniard came out and made the first contact with the ball, with the follow-through bringing down Jones.
It’s overturned, as is the yellow card for Sanchez.
PENALTY! Liverpool 1-0 Chelsea
17:20 , Chris Wilson
47 mins
PENALTY TO LIVERPOOL!
Another penalty for the home side, but not as clear as the first. Liverpool attack and Nunez threads a great through ball into the path of Jones. Before he can hit it, Sanchez comes out and drags him down, but Sanchez might have got a touch.
There’s a VAR review…
Liverpool 1-0 Chelsea
17:18 , Chris Wilson
45 mins
Play resumes with a Liverpool attack but Nunez is flagged for offside.
Gusto tries to launch an attack but he’s forced to play it backwards, before Robertson gets the better of Madueke as he slides in to give away a corner.
There’ll be five minutes of added time here.
Liverpool 1-0 Chelsea
17:16 , Richard Jolly at Anfield
“A spell to show how Liverpool’s players and crowd can drive each other on. Anfield became louder and angrier, even the usually calm Arne Slot showing dissent, and the team became more urgent. The indirect effect may have come in the goal and, with Cody Gakpo having another disallowed, almost a second. Chelsea were blown away at Anfield last season. Now the test for Enzo Maresca’s new-look side is to show more resilience.”
Liverpool 1-0 Chelsea
17:15 , Chris Wilson
43 mins
Maresca uses the break in play to speak to his players. Jackson limps off the pitch for now, but he looks like he could run it off.
Liverpool 1-0 Chelsea
17:14 , Chris Wilson
41 mins
Salah plays a lovely through ball with the outside of his foot into the path of Gakpo, but the Chelsea defence does well to track back and clear.
Jackson has just gone down in the middle of the pitch with nobody around him. He’s holding his right knee as he receives treatment.
Liverpool 1-0 Chelsea
17:12 , Chris Wilson
39 mins
Sancho shows too much of the ball to Alexander-Arnold but he wins a corner. James’ ball in is cleared, and Chelsea have to work the attack again from a throw.
Liverpool 1-0 Chelsea
17:10 , Chris Wilson
37 mins
A promising Liverpool counter-attack ends with Szoboszlai latching onto a through ball in the box, but he can only direct his shot straight at Sacnhez.
Liverpool 1-0 Chelsea
17:08 , Chris Wilson
35 mins
Not a lot has happened since that disallowed effort, with Chelsea not yet having an opportunity to get back into the game.
Liverpool are enjoying plenty of possession, but the majority is in their own half.
DISALLOWED GOAL! Liverpool 1-0 Chelsea
17:06 , Chris Wilson
33 mins
Liverpool think they have another but it’s offside.
Sanchez played it straight to Jones, who slipped a pass through to Salah, with the Egyptian playing the ball across for Gakpo to tap in. However, Salah had strayed offside in the build-up.
Liverpool 1-0 Chelsea
17:04 , Chris Wilson
32 mins
A ball forward almost falls to Nunez, but Sanchez did well to sweep it away for a throw. Liverpool win a corner right after, but the opportunity comes to nothing after Alexander-Arniold’s cross goes straight to Sanchez.
Liverpool 1-0 Chelsea
17:03 , Chris Wilson
30 mins
Liverpool have been forced into making a change here, as Jota comes off for Darwin Nunez.
GOAL! Liverpool 1-0 Chelsea
17:01 , Chris Wilson
28 mins
GOAL! The home side are ahead.
Chelsea try and delay the taking of the penalty and Jackson is booked.
Salah steps up to take it – and he rifles past Sanchez, sending the Spaniard the wrong way.
PENALTY TO LIVERPOOL! Liverpool 0-0 Chelsea
17:00 , Chris Wilson
27 mins
PENALTY TO LIVERPOOL! Stonewall.
Liverpool attack and Salah tries to force a shot through, but it bounces into the path of Jones. He’s wrestling with Colwill as he tries to get his feet sorted, and the Chelsea man brings him down for a clear penalty.
Liverpool 0-0 Chelsea
16:58 , Chris Wilson
25 mins
CLOSE!
Madueke skips past Robertson again and cuts back a dangerous ball that falls to Palmer, but his shot is blocked.
Moments later, Salah leads a counter-attack and is brought down in the box, but the referee waves it away.
Liverpool 0-0 Chelsea
16:57 , Chris Wilson
24 mins
Liverpool have some sustained possession around halfway, but there are no runners for the midfielders at the moment.
Salah tries to start an attack by playing it forward to Jota, but the Portuguese loses the ball under the challenge.
Moments later, James is dispossessed near his own box and the home side think they have a chance, but the foul is given for the challenge on the Englishman.
Liverpool 0-0 Chelsea
16:54 , Chris Wilson
22 mins
The home side’s attacking play has been a little disjointed, and Maresca will likely be the happier of the two managers so far. Chelsea have had the better of the ball, but they haven’t managed to link their attacking play together yet.
James swings in a cross and Kelleher hesitates to come for it, so Alexander-Arnold nods it behind for a corner.
Liverpool 0-0 Chelsea
16:53 , Chris Wilson
20 mins
CLOSE!
Liverpool play the long ball forward and James cushions it back to Sanchez. He takes too long on the ball and fires his clearance straight at Gakpo, but luckily for the Spaniard it bounces off Gakpo and straight into his gloves.
Moments later, there’s a brief VAR check for a penalty as Sancho goes down under the challenge from Alexander-Arnold, but nothing is given.
Liverpool 0-0 Chelsea
16:50 , Chris Wilson
18 mins
Sancho wins a throw deep into the Liverpool half after Alexander-Arnold pokes the ball away. Chelsea try and launch a quick long throw into Jackson in the box, but Kelleher comes out to collect.
The away side come forward again, but it’s all a bit too pedestrian as the Liverpool defence falls back into shape.
Liverpool 0-0 Chelsea
16:48 , Chris Wilson
15 mins
Caicedo feeds a ball in to Jackson, but he’s a little too isolated at the moment against Konate and van Dijk.
Chelsea come forward again and Sancho releases Gusto on the overlap, but his cross is blocked by Konate and it goes for a goal kick.
Liverpool 0-0 Chelsea
16:46 , Chris Wilson
13 mins
No chances yet for either side. Chelsea are happy to work the ball across the pitch, before Madueke beats Robertson down the right. His cross is too powerful though.
Liverpool 0-0 Chelsea
16:45 , Chris Wilson
12 mins
Sanchez plays a brilliant ball 80-odd yards up the pitch right into the path of Sancho. The winger lays it off to Gusto, but he blasts a shot well wide.
Liverpool 0-0 Chelsea
16:43 , Chris Wilson
10 mins
Liverpool are pressing high and it’s won them the ball a couple of times, the latest being after Sanchez is forced to kick long and Madueke can’t control it.
In contrast, Chelsea aren’t pressing anywhere near as high. The home side enjoy a bit of possession in their own half and near their box, but there’s not a lot happening right now.
Liverpool 0-0 Chelsea
16:40 , Chris Wilson
7 mins
Home fans are screaming for a red card as the long ball is played over the top and Jota tries to run free, only to be dragged down by Tosin.
It’s a similar situation to Saliba’s red card yesterday, but the referee only gives Tosin a yellow. Colwill was close by to latch on, so that’s probably saved him.
Liverpool 0-0 Chelsea
16:38 , Chris Wilson
6 mins
James and Lavia combine well on the edge of the Chelsea box, the former winning the ball in the tackle before the Belgian skips past another challenge.
The away side attack but Sancho is stopped easily by Gravenberch.
Liverpool 0-0 Chelsea
16:37 , Chris Wilson
5 mins
Jones does well to skip past both Caicedo and Palmer in midfield, and Liverpool have an attacking opportunity that ends with Salah firing at Colwill’s hand. Shouts for a free-kick, but nothing given.
Caicedo is down after landing off-balance after that challenge on Jones, but he’s trying to run it off for now.
Liverpool 0-0 Chelsea
16:35 , Chris Wilson
3 mins
Great play from Lavia to sell the dummy and skip away from the challenge to get Chelsea out of a tight position. The away side attack but James’ early cross is headed clear by Konate.
Liverpool 0-0 Chelsea
16:34 , Chris Wilson
2 mins
A few exchanges of possession as both sides look to settle early on.
Tosin gives away possession near his own box but Liverpool recycle possession back to van Dijk.
KICK-OFF! Liverpool 0-0 Chelsea
16:32 , Chris Wilson
KICK-OFF!
The away get us underway on Merseyside.
Liverpool vs Chelsea LIVE
16:28 , Chris Wilson
Richard Jolly at Anfield:
“Arne Slot may have learnt the lesson of Liverpool’s defeat to Nottingham Forest by benching their three South Americans today for the first game after an international break – though Alexis Mac Allister, who felt ill on the plane back from representing Argentina, was not ready to start anyway. For Chelsea, Reece James’ first start of the season means there will be a focus on the injury-hit captain in a suspension-hit defence.”
Liverpool vs Chelsea LIVE
16:25 , Chris Wilson
The teams are in the tunnel at Anfield, so we’re only moments from kick-off.
Match facts
16:23 , Chris Wilson
Chelsea have won just one of their last nine Premier League away games against Liverpool (drawing five and losing three.
Along with Liverpool, Chelsea are one of two sides with a 100% away win rate in the Premier League this season.
Only Manchester City (17) have scored more goals than Chelsea (16) in the division this term, and only Tottenham boast a higher xG (15.0) than the Blues (14.7).
Enzo Maresca is looking to become only the fifth manager to win each of his first four away Premier League games, with one of the previous four to do so being his counterpart in this match, Liverpool’s Arne Slot.
Chelsea pair Cole Palmer (11) and Noni Madueke (4) have created 15 chances for each other in the Premier League this season, the most of any duo.
Match facts
16:18 , Chris Wilson
Liverpool are unbeaten in their last six Premier League meetings with Chelsea, though five of these have ended level. Having lost three consecutive league games against Chelsea between 2013 and 2014, the Reds have now lost just two of their last 19, winging seven and drawing 10.
Liverpool have conceded the fewest goals (two), kept the most clean sheets (five), and have the lowest expected goals against figure (5.2) of any side in the Premier League this season.
Mohamed Salah has four goals in 13 Premier League games against his former side, averaging a goal every 257 minutes against the Blues. He only has a worse minutes-per-goal rate against Burnley.
Is Liverpool v Chelsea on TV?
16:15 , Chris Wilson
A reminder of how you can watch the late-afternoon match today – we’re around 15 minutes from kick-off.
Liverpool vs Chelsea is due to kick off at 4:30pm BST on Sunday 20 October at Anfield.
Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League, with coverage on these channels beginning at 4pm. Subscribers can stream the action on Sky Go or Now TV.
What the managers have said
16:10 , Chris Wilson
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca said that today’s match “is a special game for all of the clubs”.
“Liverpool is a nice environment, fantastic. We are excited to play this kind of game. All the games we have played until now have not been easy. We are going to do our best.
“I don’t think Sunday’s game defines where we are. In this moment, we have to be focused on things we need to improve.
“We have Liverpool and then two or three more games. Nottingham wasn’t an easy game, or Brighton, West Ham away or Bournemouth away.
“[The] Premier League is the best league in the world and the toughest league in the world,” he added.
When asked on how he feels about his club’s start to the season, the Italian said: “[I’m] very happy because what I expected in terms of players, level and style, I can see clearly that is there.
“It doesn’t matter in this moment who is going to play, you can see clearly how we want to play.”
What the managers have said
16:05 , Chris Wilson
Speaking in a press conference ahead of today’s game, Arne Slot said that he is “looking forward to a very interesting game”.
“Chelsea does really well. If you look at the league table then they are the ones that might be our toughest opponent.
“But it’s not always about the league table. Sometimes it’s about the form of the day, it’s about their game plan.
“We had some difficulty with Wolves as well, who are bottom of the league, I think. But it is a challenge, that’s for sure,” he added.
When speaking about Liverpool’s tough run of upcoming fixtures, he said: “I think we have to judge us as a team after this spell of games – not three of them but six, seven or eight of them.
“Then we know better how we act and how we perform if we play tough Champions League games and tough league games.
“That is normal in everybody’s season and we know how difficult it is.”
Conor Bradley has fond memories of Liverpool’s ‘special’ games with Chelsea
16:00 , Chris Wilson
Liverpool’s clash with Chelsea on Sunday will bring back special memories for Conor Bradley.
Fresh from captaining Northern Ireland in Tuesday’s 5-0 rout of Bulgaria in Belfast, the 21-year-old has returned to the club’s Kirkby training ground with a spring in his step before their next Premier League match.
Taking the armband for his country was just the latest step in Bradley’s outstanding 2024, and two meetings with Chelsea feature prominently in that story.
The first came on January 31 in a 4-1 win over the Londoners at Anfield, as Bradley got his first Liverpool goal and added two assists in a man-of-the-match display.
Conor Bradley has fond memories of Liverpool’s ‘special’ games with Chelsea
Arne Slot confident uncertainty over future of key Liverpool trio will not prove a distraction
15:55 , Chris Wilson
Arne Slot insisted he will be involved in contract talks with Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah by saying it would be “weird” if he was not consulted and shrugging off suggestions the right-back would be distracted as Real Madrid’s interest in him has become more public.
Liverpool’s captain, vice-captain and top scorer are all out of contract at the end of the season but Slot is adamant it is not an issue for him and he would only be worried if he reached the last day of the campaign with their futures still up in the air.
The Dutchman is Liverpool’s first head coach – predecessor Jurgen Klopp’s job title was manager and he had more control, albeit without getting his way when he wanted to keep Roberto Firmino and James Milner in 2023 – meaning sporting director Richard Hughes will assume overall responsibility for talks with the three key players. Slot confirmed, though, that he will play a part in discussions.
Arne Slot confident uncertainty over future of key trio will not prove a distraction
Chelsea cannot rely on Cole Palmer to solve all problems – Enzo Maresca
15:50 , Chris Wilson
Enzo Maresca warned his Chelsea players they cannot rely on Cole Palmer to “solve all our problems” as they prepare for a gruelling run of Premier League fixtures, beginning with Sunday’s meeting with Liverpool.
Following the game at Anfield, in which the head coach will be without suspended pair Marc Cucurella and Wesley Fofana in defence, the Blues play Newcastle at home before travelling to Old Trafford to face Manchester United.
Arsenal then visit Stamford Bridge to round off a three-week spell in which the potential in evidence during Maresca’s first seven games will receive a thorough inspection, with the team’s top-four credentials put to the test.
Chelsea cannot rely on Cole Palmer to solve all problems – Enzo Maresca
Liverpool vs Chelsea head-to-head
15:45 , Chris Wilson
These two sides have met a total of 190 times, with meetings dating back to Christmas Day in 1907.
As ist stands, Liverpool have won 90, with Chelsea winning 61. 49 have ended as draws.
As alluded to earlier, the two teams have had a range of high-profile meetings, from Champions League semi-finals to last season’s Carabao cup final, which Liverpool won 1-0.
In the league last season, the two sides drew 1-1 at Stamford Bridge in their league opener, while Liverpool won the return fixture 4-1 in January.
What Liverpool’s brutal seven-game run will reveal about their season under Arne Slot
15:40 , Chris Wilson
The best beginning to a reign made by any Liverpool manager is only a start. Arne Slot has found ways of deflecting the compliments his immediate impact at Anfield has generated. He has referenced the reality that some of his predecessors’ medal collections are sufficiently impressive that they do not need to be judged by their first 10 games or an early-season status as league leaders. He has cited the relatively kind fixture list: Liverpool have played the teams currently occupying 17th, 11th, 14th, 10th, 13th, 20th and 18th places. Their Carabao Cup win was against the club in 12th. Their Champions League victories were against the sides sitting sixth and 13th respectively in Serie A.
And now it gets harder. Liverpool’s next month amounts to a barometer of their prospects, a test of whether they are title challengers, potential Champions League winners, able to retain the Carabao Cup that proved Jurgen Klopp’s last trophy. It is Chelsea, RB Leipzig, Arsenal, Brighton, Brighton again, Bayer Leverkusen and Aston Villa, a seven-game stretch that could derail Liverpool’s ambitions or serve as a springboard to a challenge on multiple fronts.
For Slot, it amounts to a voyage of discovery. Have his first 10 games given him a clear idea of what Liverpool can achieve or is he still trying to find out himself?
What Liverpool’s brutal seven-game run will reveal about their season
Liverpool v Chelsea – the tale of a recent English ‘rivalry’
15:35 , Chris Wilson
Around 220 miles separate Anfield and Stamford Bridge, but despite the distance between theses two clubs, they have played out one of English football’s most intriguing rivalries since the early 2000s.
By the time Roman Abramovich took over the Blues in 2003, the historic gap between the two clubs had closed, with Liverpool remaining a force despite their inability to challenge for titles. But the Blues soon took them over, with the hiring of Jose Mourinho kickstarting a golden era.
And (despite a 3-2 Chelsea win in that year’s League Cup final) the rivalry between the two clubs can perhaps be traced to a match that was key in one of Liverpool’s most famous successes – their 2005 Champions League win.
Luis Garcia’s ghost goal at Anfield in the second leg of the semi-final won the tie for the Reds, and marked the first in a run of high-octane, high quality matches between the two sides, including another Liverpool win (this one on penalties) in the Champions League semi-finals in 2006/07, a 4-3 aggregate win for Chelsea in the 2007/08 semi-finals and a 7-5 aggregate win (including a 4-4 at Stamford Bridge) for Chelsea in the 2008/09 quarter-finals.
Since 2003, the two clubs have also met in two FA Cup finals and three League Cup finals.
Will Liverpool beat the Blues?
15:30 , Mike Jones
Liverpool are seeking a third successive win over Chelsea in all competitions for the first time since November 2011, when they recorded a sequence of four.
Victory this weekend would also see Liverpool record a 50th Anfield success over Chelsea in league football, while their next goal will be their 250th in all league encounters against the Londoners.
Liverpool vs Chelsea team changes
15:25 , Mike Jones
Arne Slot makes three changes to the Liverpool team that defeated Crystal Palace 1-0 in their final match before the international break.
Alisson is injured so Caoimhin Kelleher will be in goal while Andy Robertson takes up his place at left-back ahead of Kostas Tsimikas. Further up the pitch, Alexis Mac Allister is replaced with Dominik Szoboszlai.
For Chelsea, the big news is that captain and right-back Reece James returns! The defender has recovered from a long-term injury to take his place in the starting line-up.
Elsewhere, Enzo Fernandez, Wesley Fofana and Marc Cucurella drop out with Tosin Adarabioyo and Romeo Lavia brought back in.
Liverpool vs Chelsea line-ups
15:15 , Mike Jones
Liverpool XI: Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Szoboszlai, Gravenberch, Jones; Salah, Jota, Gakpo
Chelsea XI: Sanchez; James, Tosin, Colwill, Gusto; Lavia, Caicedo; Madueke, Palmer, Sancho; Jackson
Team news
15:10 , Chris Wilson
A reminder of the early team news – we’re around five minutes away from knowing the line-ups.
Liverpool will be without Alisson, while Harvey Elliott continues to recover from a fractured foot. Federico Chiesa could be available after recovering from an unspecified injury which ruled him out of Italy’s internationals.
Marc Cucurella and Wesley Fofana are suspended, though Reece James is back in training after a period out with a hamstring injury.
Reece James injury latest after Enzo Maresca provides update on Chelsea star’s return
15:00 , Chris Wilson
Reece James is fit to return for Chelsea against Liverpool after his latest injury with Enzo Maresca revealing a new plan to ensure the right-back remains fit.
James has not featured for the Blues this season after sustaining another hamstring issue.
But after training with the group over the international break, Maresca can call on the 24-year-old for the trip to Anfield.
Chelsea handed boost as Enzo Maresca provides Reece James injury update
Liverpool vs Chelsea team news: Alisson injury blow for Reds as Reece James nears Blues return
14:55 , Chris Wilson
Chelsea travel to face Liverpool as Premier League football returns following the international break, but the Reds have been handed an injury blow ahead of the weekend.
Alisson is set to remain on the sidelines for the clash against Chelsea after sustaining a hamstring injury against Crystal Palace.
Caoimhin Kelleher will deputise in goal, with Arne Slot confirming the Brazil remains out for a “couple of weeks” due to the problem.
Reece James has trained over the international break and will be in the squad on Sunday, while Maresca must contend without suspended duo Wesley Fofana and Marc Cucurella.
Liverpool vs Chelsea team news: Alisson injury blow for Reds as James nears return
Predicted line-ups
14:50 , Chris Wilson
Liverpool XI: Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Szoboszlai, Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Jota, Diaz
Chelsea XI: Sanchez; Gusto, Adarabioyo, Colwill, Veiga; Caicedo, Fernandez; Neto, Palmer, Sancho; Jackson
Team news
14:45 , Chris Wilson
Marc Cucurella is suspended, meaning the versatile Renato Veiga could fill in at left-back. Reece James is back in training after a period out with a hamstring injury but will likely start from the bench.
Wesley Fofana is out due to a one-game suspension, meaning Tosin Adarabioyo could deputise.
Team news
14:40 , Chris Wilson
Arne Slot must contend without the injured Alisson Becker between the sticks, meaning another chance for Caoimhin Kelleher.
Harvey Elliott continues to recover from a fractured foot and while this game comes too soon, a return in the near future is possible. Federico Chiesa could be available after recovering from an unspecified injury which ruled him out of Italy’s internationals.
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