Chelsea 1-2 Liverpool: Reds show title credentials in game of two halves at Stamford Bridge
Liverpool showed their Premier League title credentials in a game of two halves at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
The Reds bounced back from a midweek defeat to Napoli by making it six wins from six in the top flight with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Chelsea.
If the first half was all about the array of attacking talent that Jurgen Klopp’s side possess, then the second half highlighted their resilience in defence as they held on to win and restore their five-point advantage over second-placed Manchester City.
Full-backs union
Liverpool began the game with their usual intensity and full-backs Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson once again demonstrated why they are so important to the way this side attack.
There were the usual surging runs forward and pin-point deliveries throughout the first half, but it was two free-kicks – one from each – that made the breakthroughs.
The first came from Alexander-Arnold on the edge of the penalty box after just 14 minutes, when Mohamed Salah rolled the ball to the side of the wall for the England right-back to fire it into the top corner.
Then 15 minutes later, Robertson whipped in a free-kick from the wing to find Roberto Firmino, who found the net with his head to make it 2-0.
VAR bounce
One of the inadvertent consequences of the video assistant referee (VAR) is the bounce that an overturned decision can give the opponent, particularly when it involves a goal.
It could be seen in last season’s Champions League semi-final between Manchester City and Tottenham and again yesterday when Liverpool derived a similar positive benefit after Chelsea had a goal ruled out.
With Liverpool winning 1-0, Cesar Azpilicueta poked home after the ball came loose in the penalty area, but Mason Mount’s left foot had been marginally offside in the build-up moments earlier, to the roared delight of the away fans.
Three minutes later and the ball was in Chelsea’s net after Firmino scored from a free-kick given away by Azpilicueta. From 1-1 to 2-0 and a mountain that was too much for the Blues to climb, despite their best efforts.
Chelsea’s second-half charge
For the majority of the first half Chelsea looked uninspired going forward, just as they had done in the 1-0 defeat to Valencia last Tuesday.
Tammy Abraham seemed isolated up front again as Chelsea resorted to long balls or crosses, although the 21-year-old did have a chance to score one-on-one with Adrian and could have squared it to Mount to tap in.
In the second half and 2-0 down, the Blues played like a side with nothing to lose and Mount, Willian, Mateo Kovacic and N’Golo Kante all popped up in attacking areas more regularly as they pushed for a goal.
After 70 minutes, Kante obliged, skipping past Fabinho and Jordan Henderson and punting the ball into the top corner.
Despite a late onslaught, Liverpool held out, thanks to a defensive masterclass from Joel Matip and Ballon d’Or favourite Virgil van Dijk.
Mount blazed a stoppage-time chance over the bar and Lampard later acknowledged there were plenty of positives to take from his team’s second-half display.
Integral Kante
Lampard’s decision to start Mount, Kante and Emerson Palmieri looked a risk too far following their returns from injury when the latter was forced off after just 15 minutes.
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But Kante proved – if there was ever any doubt – why he has to play even if he is only remotely fit. The Frenchman made just his second league start this season and was by far Chelsea’s best player.
He was typically robust in his defensive duties, but also one of the Blues’ biggest threats going forward, particularly in the second half.
He was integral in the European Super Cup match against Liverpool earlier this season, too, and his return will be a huge boost for Lampard going forward, despite taking nothing from this match. It looks vital that he stays fit if Chelsea are to make the top four.