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Chelsea showed why they are title contenders this season with a solid display at Liverpool on Saturday night. The Blues were reduced to 10 men in the first-half injury time but managed to keep Liverpool at bay and walk away with a point.
Kai Havertz scored midway in the first half from a Reece James corner to hand Chelsea the lead. The German's looping header from a corner was too good for Alisson to predict, and the Brazilian was beaten.
Liverpool were handed a lifeline in injury time of the first half as the ball struck Reece James's hand on the goal line. Anthony Taylor handed the Reds a penalty and sent off the right back, leaving everyone in the Chelsea camp stunned.
Mohamed Salah stepped up and scored from the penalty spot. Jurgen Klopp's side kept knocking on the door, but Chelsea stood their ground and managed to hold the Reds at Anfield for a 1-1 draw.
Here are Chelsea's top performers from the draw at Liverpool:
#5 - Kai Havertz
Kai Havertz enjoyed a good game at Anfield as he was a part of all Chelsea attacks in the first half. He managed to get on the end of Reece James' corner and give Chelsea the lead in the 22nd minute.
The German had a golden chance to put Romelu Lukau through on goal too in the first half, but a slight delay saw Liverpool score the Belgian down. Havertz did manage to get a shot away, but that was blocked comfortably.
#4 - Cesar Azpilicueta
Cesar Azpilicueta was making his 300th Premier League appearance for Chelsea on his 32nd birthday. The Spaniard has been a rock-solid defender for The Blues in his career, and tonight was no different.
Thomas Tuchel deployed his captain as the right center-back against Liverpool but had to switch his position in the second half. The Spaniard moved to right wing-back after the Reece James sending off, with Thiago Silva slotting in as the center-back.
Cesar Azpilicueta showed why Chelsea have him as the captain as he remained calm and kept Sadio Mane closely marked throughout the game. Andy Robertson was able to get past the Spaniard a couple of times, but the Chelsea captain always seemed to fight back.
#3 - Antonio Rudiger
Antonio Rudiger was close to leaving Chelsea last summer but has now established himself as one of the first names on the teamsheet. The German enjoyed another good outing and was a nightmare for Mohamed Salah.
The Chelsea left center-back was in position throughout the game and was commanding the defense. He managed to close down Mohamed Salah and Harvey Elliot – giving them very little time to think when they had the ball at their feet.
Antonio Rudiger did get booked in the first half as he tried to mess with the penalty spot. The German's actions were spotted by the Liverpool players and the officials, leaving Anthony Taylor no choice but to book him.
#2 - Edouard Mendy
The signing of Edouard Mendy has proved to be one of the best decisions made by Chelsea in the last year. The Senegal star made six crucial saves in the game and was ready to pounce whenever the ball was crossed into the box by Liverpool.
Edouard Mendy was also in the book last night after he tried to kick the ball away. The goalkeeper was furious as he went the wrong way once again for Mohamed Salah's penalty and took out his anger on the ball, which Jordan Henderson was looking to pick up.
The goalkeeper was the Man of the Match for a lot of people watching the game as he was doing all he can to keep the ball out of the goal.
#1 - Andreas Christensen
Another game, another solid outing for Andreas Christensen. The Danish Maldini, as Chelsea fans nickname him, showed his class once again on the pitch.
Andreas Christensen had to switch from being the center-back to the right center-back in the second half of the game as Thiago Silva was slotted in. The change in position did not affect his game a bit and he was in the right place at the right time to keep Liverpool away from the goal.
Chelsea have offered Andreas Christensen a new deal and reports suggest he is close to penning it. He has been offered a 4-year contract with the option of another year – something that would take him into his 30s.
