Liverpool vs. Chelsea match report

Reds make it 15 on the bounce at the bridge

Liverpool made it 15 wins in a row on Sunday when they won 2-1 at Stamford Bridge. Young Trent Alexander–Arnold scored an absolute peach of a free kick just before the 15 minute mark, followed by the reds resident highlight reel Roberto Firmino doubled the lead with a free header in the 6 yard box. Chelsea did try to mount a comeback with a spectacular solo goal from world cup winner N’golo Kante but the reds were able to see out the game to go 5 points clear at the top of the premier league heading into match day 7.

After witnessing an 8-0 demolition job by reigning champions Manchester City, the ball was very much back in the court of the challengers. Liverpool started the game as Liverpool do, free flowing, finesse football running the Chelsea 11 all over the pitch. Full backs Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander Arnold put in sparkling first half performances getting an assist and goal respectively. Liverpool’s first goal came from a free kick right on the edge of the box as liverpool talisman Mo Salah rolled the ball with perfect weight into the path of full back Alexander Arnold who perfectly found the gap in the wall and left the Chelsea shot stopper with no chance. Seemingly as standard this season, the game was not without its controversies with VAR taking centre stage once more. Azpilicueta found the back of the net to the joy of 35,000 Chelsea fans only for VAR to find starlet Mason Mount was offside in the build up to the goal. VAR once again sucked the life out of the home crowd and with Bobby Firmino netting from a completely free header just moments later, Chelsea faced a big uphill battle against a very resilient Liverpool eleven.

Youngster Tammy Abrams came closest in the first half getting on the end of an azpilicueta through ball and very nearly hitting the back of the net but the ever under appreciated Liverpool shot stopper, Adrián, managed to pull off a brilliant save to deny Abrams his first goal against the reds.

Going into half time Frank Lampard and his team had lots of work to do to take any points from the current European Champions. Right out the gate forward Roberto Firmino came painfully close to making it 3-0 with a stunning volley across goal from close range that was met by an equally astonishing save from Kepa Arizabalaga to deny the brazilian.

It was all Liverpool for 69 minutes, playing fantastic football, controlling both the game and the fans until Premier League and World Cup winner, N’golo Kante scored a sublime solo goal by seemingly running rings around liverpool midfielder Fabinho and finding all the space he needed in and around the edge of the box to pull the trigger and fire one right in the top corner giving Adrián no chance.

this was just what Chelsea needed with 20 minutes left, Stamford Bridge was rocking with Chelsea on the front foot, playing the kind of football Lampard would be proud of, showing no fear of a Liverpool side that looked like they were really starting to feel the fatigue in the final 15 having travelled to Napoli midweek for their opening Champions League match. All credit to Chelsea they played their hearts out for the final 20 minutes and put on a heart racing conclusion to the game with substitutes Mason Mount and Michy Batshuayi coming gut wrenchingly close to sharing the points at Stamford Bridge.

Ultimately Liverpool were able to grind out a massive win and take all three points back to Merseyside much to the delight of manager Jurgen Klopp. After the game he said “it was a really good performance and we scored two wonderful goals. it was an exciting game and it was intense”. Liverpool Centre Half Joel Matip was named Man of the Match. the Cameroonian completed the most clearances, joint most aerial duels won and most tackles for Liverpool.

Liverpool travel to MK Dons for their Carabao Cup tie on Wednesday, it will offer a chance for Sadio Mane, who picked up a knock this weekend and was replaced by James Milner as a precaution, a chance to rest up along with other key players like Mohammed Salah and Virgil Van Dijk as they prepare to continue their charge for the premier league title at weekend when they travel to Sheffield Wednesday for Saturdays early kick off.

On the other hand Frank Lampard said after the game “I thought we were the better team, that’s why the crowd clapped the team off although we lost”. A tough one for Frank and his team take but they need to pick themselves up as Chelsea host Grimsbury in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night and then welcome Brighton to Stamford Bridge on Saturday for a 3 o’clock kick off.