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Liverpool secured a hard fought 2-1 win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Roberto Firmino netting for Jurgen Klopp's side. The win saw Liverpool re-establish their five point lead at the top of the Premier League over Manchester City, who demolished Watford 8-0.
The first half saw Liverpool control the tempo of the game, in which the front three of Mohammed Salah, Firmino and Sadio Mane exploited the gaps left in between Chelsea's midfield and defence.
The visitors deservedly took the lead in the 14th minute through Alexander-Arnold's free kick. And, Jurgen Klopp's side doubled their lead in the 30th minute through Firmino.
Chelsea found their goal in the 27th minute cancelled out via VAR, as replays saw Mason Mount stray offside in the build up to Cesar Azpilicueta's strike.
Roles were reversed in the second half as Chelsea dominated for major periods, making life difficult for the Reds, especially after N'Golo Kante pulled one back for the hosts in the 71st minute.
Liverpool held on for the win, thereby securing their sixth straight victory of the campaign. Without wasting any time, let us take a look at the three reasons why Liverpool came out triumphant at the Bridge.
#3 Liverpool punish a shaky Chelsea rearguard with two clinical strikes
Chelsea boss, Frank Lampard opted to approach the game with a back four of Azpilicueta, Andreas Christensen, Fikayo Tomori and Emerson, against Liverpool's front three of Salah, Firmino and Mane. The initial exchanges of the game were dominated by Liverpool, who looked to exploit the spaces left between Chelsea's midfield and defence.
The likes of Fabinho, Jordan Henderson and Georginio Wijnaldum could comfortably play in between the lines and find Salah and Mane, who looked to run behind the Chelsea rearguard.
The 26th minute saw Fabinho pick up the ball and drive past Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic, only to pick out the Senegalese forward, who was brought down by Christensen on the edge of the penalty box.
The ensuing free-kick was smashed with great aplomb into the right hand top corner by Alexander-Arnold.
Chelsea were unlucky to see Azpilicueta's strike scrapped off by VAR, which saw Mason Mount stray offside in the build up. Liverpool heaped more misery and took a 2-0 lead through Roberto Firmino, three minutes after their goal was cancelled by VAR.
The first half saw Liverpool attack with intent they created plenty of opportunities. After the restart though, Chelsea found their rhythm and probed Liverpool's back four and pulled a goal back through Kante.
The Blues were unlucky to not equalize in the second half due to some fine saves from Adrian or due to their own inability to remain poised in front of goal.
The major reason that saw Liverpool secure the win was their ability to bag two quick goals within half an hour and Chelsea's profligacy in front of it.
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#2 Chelsea fail to convert gilt-edged opportunities against Liverpool
In spite of Liverpool controlling proceedings in the first half and enjoying a two-goal cushion, Chelsea did manage to create a number of opportunities to trouble Liverpool's defence. Yet, it was their inability to remain clinical in front of goal that cost them the game.
Chelsea created quite a few clear cut chances to get back into the game, but failed to apply the finishing touches. Centre back, Christensen played a delightful through ball to Tammy Abraham in the 24th minute, only for the striker to see his effort blocked by Adrian.
Given the rich vein of form Abraham is in, most would have expected him to slot the ball past the keeper.
The aforementioned chance and the one which saw Azpilicueta's goal ruled out, gave Liverpool the impetus to control the game and heap more misery on the hosts as Firmino's header gave the visitors a sizeable advantage within 30 minutes.
As Chelsea chased the game, Lampard brought on Michy Batshuayi in place of Abraham to add some impact late in the game.
The Belgian had a glorious chance to level the score, late in the second half, as he saw his header just glance past Adrian's far post. On that occasion, Alonso whipped in a delightful cross for the striker who failed to hit the target despite finding himself in space between the Liverpool central defenders.
Mason Mount also had a chance to level the game in the 90th minute but his effort sailed over the bar.
Chelsea's inability to remain calm in front of goal and inexperience in defence saw Liverpool secure all three points at Stamford Bridge.
#1 A mixture of luck and resolute defensive work saw Liverpool come out top
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp elected to field the same back line that took to the field in Liverpool's 2-0 loss to Napoli. Liverpool's defence put in an improved display and were resolute in the second half, thereby helping their side come out victorious in a gruelling game.
Virgil van Dijk put in a great shift yet again as he read the game with great intelligence, snuffing out numerous Chelsea attacks. The Dutchman came out trumps against an in form Abraham, who had recently bagged a hat-trick against Wolves. His leadership came to the fore as his side scraped through by two goals to one.
Operating on the right hand side of the central defence, Joel Matip made some crucial tackles and interceptions to ward off Chelsea's front three of Mount, Abraham and Willian. Matip used his physicality and composure to great effect and pinched the ball off Chelsea's forwards whenever an opportunity presented itself.
Matip dominated the aerial battles by winning 5/6 aerial duels and recovered possession on seven occasions. Liverpool's fullbacks made telling contributions to both goals as Alexander-Arnold scored the opener and Robertson assisted Firmino for the second goal.
Due credit must also be given to stand-in keeper Adrian, who made a series of saves to deny the likes of Abraham and Alonso.
In spite of their inability to close down Kante during the build up to Chelsea's goal, Liverpool's defence did really well to withstand a barrage of Chelsea attacks in the second half. Their organisation was spot on as they caught Chelsea's forwards in an offside position on many occasions.
Overall, assistance from VAR in a crucial period of the game and some fine defensive organisation saw Liverpool secure their sixth win of the season, in as many games.
