'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
There was no separating Liverpool and Chelsea at Anfield as the Premier League giants played out a 1-1 draw. Kai Havertz's opener was cancelled out by Mohamed Salah from the spot after Reece James was shown a red card for a handball.
The Blues, reigning European champions, started the match brightly, pushing their hosts on the back foot with quick counters. However, the Reds quickly found their feet, and drew level just before half-time.
Despite a numerical advantage for the remainder of the match, Jurgen Klopp's men failed to find a winner, and eventually had to be content with a share of the spoils.
They sure upped the ante towards the end, with Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Jordan Henderson and Diogo Jota all coming close, but it was a case of too little too late, as ten-man Chelsea held firm.
On that note, here are the player ratings of both teams:
Liverpool Player Ratings
Alisson - 7/10
The Liverpool custodian couldn't do much about Havertz's goa,l as the ball looped well over him. But he salvaged some pride with excellent distribution of the ball, and made some crucial punches. He also produced a fine save to deny Matteo Kovacic late on.
Trent Alexander-Arnold - 7/10
Liverpool's marauding right-back laid an excellent ball for Henderson early on. Although his tussle with Marcos Alonso wasn't always fruitful, he stayed committed to his cause. Alexander-Arnold also attempted a shot at goal in the dying moments, but it was blocked.
Joel Matip - 7/10
Matip cleaned everything in front of him, and dealt with Lukaku well too. But the chance he missed from a yard out is going to haunt the Cameroonian for a while.
Virgil van Dijk - 7.5/10
Liverpool's talismanic centre-back was at his peerless best, clearing lines and covering in behind. His aerial prowess is clear by now, which he demonstrated against Chelsea, winning all three of his duels while also completing 92% of his passes.
Andrew Robertson - 7/10
He was right behind Havertz when the Chelsea man scored the opener, but Robertson couldn't do much about it. The Scottish ace misplaced a few passes, and mishit a corner too. Nevertheless, four key passes is a good stat, and he should get better with each passing game.
Harvey Elliott - 8/10
Arguably the best player for Liverpool on the night, Elliott played his passes to perfection, and won four tackles inside the opening 15 minutes of the match. Although he lost steam after the break, Elliott remained crucial to keeping it ticking for Liverpool.
Jordan Henderson - 7/10
The Liverpool captain wasted a good chance early on by firing his effort wide, but looked to make up for that by creating overloads. He distributed the ball well against Chelsea too.
Fabinho - 7/10
The Brazilian was tidy in possession, and managed to get a shot away, too, a testament to how much he pushed forward after the break to help Liverpool pile the pressure on 10-man Chelsea.
Mohamed Salah - 7.5/10
The Egyptian ace continued his ruthless streak from the spot with a 14th consecutive penalty converted in Liverpool colours. He had the opportunity to bag a few more, but either lacked the cutting edge or saw his efforts saved.
Roberto Firmino - 7/10
Firmino marked his return to the Liverpool XI with a bang, showing incredible energy, link-up play and dropping off to give the Chelsea defence a lot to think about. Unfortunately, his evening was cut short with an injury in the 43rd minute.
Sadio Mane - 7.5/10
Liverpool's Senegalese sensation worked very hard to keep Chelsea pinned back. He was heavily involved in Liverpool's attacking plays, helping win the penalty too.
Ratings of Liverpool substitutes against Chelsea
Diogo Jota - 6/10
Jota replaced Firmino just before the break, but couldn't make much of a difference. He also headed a good chance over the bar.
Thiago Alcantara - 6/10
The Spaniard attempted a few passes into the Chelsea box, but they didn't really come off.
Kostas Tsimikas - N/A
Tsimikas didn't get much time to prove his worth to Liverpool on the day.
Chelsea Player Ratings
Edouard Mendy - 9/10
The Chelsea custodian couldn't stop Liverpool's penalty, and later went into the books for a moment of madness. But that was a sore note in an otherwise pristine copybook, as the goalkeeper produced a series of top-class saves.
Cesar Azpilicueta - 8/10
The Chelsea captain was in fine form once again, cleaning up everything in front of him and producing a captain's performance. He also made nine clearances and six tackles against Liverpool, winning all seven of his ground duels too.
Andreas Christensen - 7/10
Christensen kept an eye on Liverpool's prolific duo Salah and Mane and held his ground well even when the hosts upped the ante. He tallied seven clearances and an 81% pass-completion rate.
Antonio Rudiger - 6.5/10
He looked shaky at the start, but recovered well and also denied Salah from scoring his second of the night, with a superb block.
Reece James - 6.5/10
The full-back continued his fine start to the campaign with an assist for Havertz from a corner. But his evening ended prematurely after he was sent off for a handball. While it was a penalty for sure, the red card was a bit harsh on him.
N'Golo Kante - 7.5/10
Chelsea's midfield maestro was key in recycling the ball, as he pinched possession off his opposite number and broke forward at full pelt. Unfortunately, his evening too ended prematurely after picking up an injury.
Jorginho - 7.5/10
The Euro 2020 winner started the match brightly, running at Liverpool and not allowing them to settle. When the hosts shifted gears after the break, he sat deep to help out defensively, making four interceptions and three tackles.
Marcos Alonso - 7.5/10
He deserves credit for dealing with Salah brilliantly, not allowing the Egyptian ace too much time on the ball and keeping a close track of him. Alonso made six tackles in the match, the most by a Chelsea player on the night.
Kai Havertz - 8/10
Chelsea's Champions League hero delivered for his side in another big game, putting them ahead with a looping header from James' corner in the first half. But he was taken off at half-time in a tactical move by Tuchel after Chelsea's red card.
Mason Mount - 7.5/10
Mount was unplayable in the first half, a huge menace on the ball and full of energy. He later flashed a shot wide after being sent through on goal, and worked hard defensively in the second.
Romelu Lukaku - 6/10
Chelsea's returning hero had a rather quiet evening against Liverpool at Anfield. He was isolated up front and, aside from a few moments of charging runs early on, failed to truly rattle Liverpool.
Ratings of Chelsea substitutes against Liverpool:
Mateo Kovacic - 7/10
It was a good shift at both ends of the pitch from the Croatian after coming on at half-time.
Thiago Silva - 8/10
In his first match of the season, the Brazilian ticked all the boxes with a monstrous performance in defence.
Trevoh Chalobah - N/A
The youngster didn't have much time to make an impact against Liverpool at Anfield.
