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Chelsea and Liverpool played out an entertaining 2-2 draw in a Premier League game at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah gave the visitors a two-goal lead. However, the hosts battled back with strikes from Mateo Kovacic and Christian Pulisic in a pulsating first half.
A frenetic end-to-end first half saw the momentum swing wildly. Mane and Salah put the Reds two ahead in 26 minutes. However, a stunner from Kovacic and a fine strike from Pulisic helped draw the hosts level right before the break.
The second half was a bit subdued in terms of pace, with neither side willing to go all-out for the winner. Eventually, a draw was a fair result on the night.
The draw means Chelsea remain a point ahead of the Reds, who have a game in hand. However, Thomas Tuchel's men are now a whopping ten points behind runaway leaders Manchester City.
On that note, here are the five major talking points from the game:
#1 Romelu Lukaku axed from Chelsea's matchday squad
Off-field matters overshadowed Chelsea’s pre-match preparation, with star striker Romelu Lukaku expressing unhappiness with his role at the club. Lukaku’s untimely revelations left manager Thomas Tuchel unable to hide his irritation as he addressed the situation behind closed doors.
Tuchel expectedly left Lukaku out of the squad to face Liverpool. In addition to Lukaku, Chelsea also missed Reece James and Timo Werner in their matchday squad.
Axing the Belgian international was a bold but necessary decision, despite his recent goalscoring return. Given the fast-paced nature of the game, both Lukaku’s hold-up play and ball-carrying abilities could have proved useful on the pitch.
#2 Liverpool squad struck by COVID-19
While Chelsea’s most notable absentee on the night was self-inflicted, Liverpool were missing key personnel of their own, albeit for different reasons.
Suspected positive COVID-19 tests for manager Jurgen Klopp, and Alisson, Joel Matip and Roberto Firmino meant the Reds didn't have many first-team regulars at Stamford Bridge. Injuries and suspension, respectively, meant Thiago Alcantara and Andy Robertson also didn't feature in the game.
As such, Liverpool took to the field with assistant Pep Lijnders taking charge and youngster Caoimhin Kelleher deputising for Alisson in goal. Ibrahima Konate and Kostas Tsimikas were more expected additions to their starting eleven.
#3 Key AFCON participants star for Liverpool and Chelsea
In addition to being a clash between two direct title rivals, the Chelsea-Liverpool game was notable for another reason. Key players from both clubs are set to feature at the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon later this month.
The Reds have first-team regulars like Salah, Mane and Naby Keita jetting off for the tournament. For Chelsea, first-choice goalkeeper Edouard Mendy will be a notable miss.
The goalscoring contributions of Salah and Mane on Sunday were matched by Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, underlining their importance to their respective teams. With key players away for up to a month, there could be ramifications in the Premier League title race.
#4 The packed festive schedule is starting to catch up with teams
The thrilling first half of this game set up the prospect of an exhilarating ending that eventually failed to materialise. With both sides already missing players for a variety of reasons, those on the pitch seemed to run out of steam towards the end.
A mix of fatigue and caution seemed to hold both Chelsea and Liverpool back from going full-tilt after the restart. The added prospect of losing ground in the title race meant the second half was a lot more stop-start in nature than the first.
As such, robust challenges and lung-bursting sprints were less prevalent in the second half, and the pressing less intense as well. Squad management seemed to take precedence as both teams settled for a share of the spoils.
#5 Chelsea and Liverpool cede ground to Manchester City in title race
The final whistle at Stamford Bridge ended a near-perfect week for league leaders Manchester City. Having wrapped up an 11th-straight league win, Pep Guardiola’s men enjoyed an 11-point lead atop the table before Chelsea and Liverpool faced off at Stamford Bridge.
The second and third-placed teams playing out a draw was the perfect result for City. They now enjoy a ten-point cushion over second-placed Chelsea. Liverpool sit one point and a place behind the Blues, having played a game less. Only PSG (13 points) have a larger advantage at the top of the table in Europe's top five leagues than City.
With the two title challengers well behind, City are all set to win their fourth Premier League title in five years this summer.
