Chelsea 1-1 Liverpool: 5 Conclusions from the game

When Chelsea welcomed Liverpool to Stamford Bridge, it was a battle between two of the only 3 undefeated teams in the league. Because Manchester City had climbed up to the top of the table by their win against Brighton, a Chelsea win meant they could move level on points with City but would be second by an inferior goal difference.

Liverpool, on the other hand, could go clear on top with a win and having won all the six of their opening games, they were the favourites to win the game. However, Chelsea had already overcome Liverpool in the Carabao Cup in midweek and so, had confidence on their side.

The game started quite well and was an open-ended affair, with Liverpool looking the stronger team. However, Chelsea took the lead through Hazard in the 25th minute and even though Liverpool tried their best, the first half ended 1-1.

At the start of the second half, Chelsea looked like a better team, but it was not long before Liverpool found their foothold. An excellent stop from Arrizabalaga saved Chelsea in the 58th minute before Shaqiri missed a sitter. But Liverpool finally got their goal in the 89th minute, thanks to some brilliance from Sturridge and though both teams tried till the end to get the winner, the game ended 1-1.

Even though there were no clear winners, the match was hugely entertaining and was a treat for the neutrals.

#5 Salah having off days against top teams

For the second time already this season, Mohamed Salah had an off day against a top 6 team. He started with a good chance in the 5th minute, but his weak curler was directed straight at Arrizabalaga. He had another chance 6 minutes later, but his shot was high, wide and not so handsome. He almost scored in the 32nd minute though, after rounding off the keeper, only for Rudiger to clear it off the line.

His passing was off the mark, as was his defensive play. Chelsea almost scored from his foul on Luiz in the 64th minute, only for Alisson to come to Liverpool rescue. He was replaced 2 minutes later, with Shaqiri coming on in his place. However, Shaqiri missed a clear chance in the 70th minute and one couldn’t help but wonder whether Salah would have buried it.

Just like he did against Tottenham, Salah had another off day in front of goal against Chelsea and Klopp might be looking into that. The Egyptian however, influenced the game with his pressing and positioning, which pegged Alonso back.

#4 Alisson is justifying his price

The Brazilian had given a terrific account of himself so far this season and he started off the game in fine form, intercepting Willian’s ball to Hazard right at the edge of the area, with suspicions of handball which was waved away, quite rightly, by the referee. Next, he was out of his goal in a flash to deny Willian time to adjust his footings after receiving the ball from Luiz.

Alisson spread himself and blocked the shot brilliantly. That was two fine saves in the first 25 minutes, however, he could not stop Hazard’s goal, even though he got a finger to the ball.

In the second half, Chelsea had taken a free-kick quickly, Hazard was through and it looked like a certain goal. But Alisson was again out of his goal in the split of second and had spread himself well to deflect the Belgian’s shot up and over the crossbar, into the roof of the goal.

It was a superb save and an essential one too because it kept Liverpool in the game. He continued with his saves, palming away to deny Kovacic. He was also alert right at the end of the game, clearing a horrible Wijnaldum back pass before it reached Morata.

Alisson’s move to Liverpool might have raised a few eyebrows, especially due to the money involved, but the Brazilian is doing everything to justify the price.

#3 Hazard is hitting a higher gear this season

Liverpool v Chelsea - Carabao Cup Third Round

The Belgian has been in fine form this season. He had already scored 5 goals in the Premier League before the Liverpool game and had been Chelsea’s most threatening player so far. He had previously scored the winner against Liverpool in midweek in the Carabao Cup and as such, Liverpool were wary of him from the beginning.

Initially, Liverpool’s pressing game meant that the ball was not being allowed to come to Hazard, however, a player like him needs only one chance to make things happen and in the 22nd minute, he punished Liverpool for the second time in a week. Some sleek passing between Kovacic, Jorginho and Hazard saw the Belgian give the ball to the Croatian and run into space.

Kovacic in return, sent a glorious ball for Hazard to run into and the Belgian finished with a beautiful left footed shot. It was his 6th goal in the League and his 7th goal of the season so far.

In the second half, an extremely alert Kante sent Hazard free on goal from a quickly taken free kick, however, the Belgian should have buried the game. It is something that Hazard will certainly look to improve in his next game, but so far, Hazard have been one of the best players in the league.

#2 Sarri-ball might need a few more tweaks

Chelsea under Sarri almost always end the game with the most passes and the better passing accuracy. It is a facet of their manager’s tactics, the Sarri-ball, and it has been immensely effective so far. Yet Liverpool showed the Italian that there are still a few tweaks required to Sarri-ball.

Against Liverpool, Chelsea finished with 559 passes with 83% accuracy, while Liverpool attempted 616 passes with 83% accuracy. Liverpool had more of the ball in the game – 53% possession and the way they dominated the blues at the Stamford Bridge must have irritated Sarri. However, there is still a lot of good on display from Chelsea’s side.

For starters, Sarri seems to have finally found his ideal midfield partnership and Kante, Kavocic and Jorginho complement each other pretty well. Kovacic has recently started keeping Barkley on the bench and he showed against Liverpool again why he is an important aspect of Sarri’s tactics. Then, the Italian's use of Hazard and Willian has been excellent and Kante has also rediscovered himself under Sarri.

The Sarri-ball might need a few more tweaks, but then, it is only continuous improvement that builds champions.

#1 Klopp is onto something this season

Liverpool have started the season very well and are second in the league right now. They have now won 6 of their 7 games in the Premier League, scoring 15 goals and conceding only 15. They are still unbeaten in the league and might be the perfect team to stop Guardiola and City this season. All of this boils down to the man in charge.

Jurgen Klopp has been given time at Anfield and he looks like he has finally built a team that will be competing for the title and might even win their first ever Premier League trophy. He has inspired his team and his players to play beautiful, pressing game and he has given them the freedom, the confidence to get even better. The players look hungrier, they are nurturing a winning attitude and they are playing exciting, attractive football.

Against Chelsea, Liverpool’s pressing and dominance on the ball so was impressive, it was hard to believe they were playing at Stamford Bridge. They were relentless and fought on till the last minute. It is a testament to Klopp’s efforts that his team managed to come back into the team and it was his brilliant substitution that changed the game. Sturridge was brought on in place of Milner, with Klopp daring to take off a defensive player to go all out in attack and his belief in his player and his style of play was finally rewarded.

Klopp finally has something good going at Anfield!