Liverpool limped to a 1-1 draw with Premier League champions Chelsea on Sunday, damaging their top-four hopes. Here are five key stats from Stamford Bridge.
A goal each from the two oldest players on the pitch, John Terry and Steven Gerrard, saw Chelsea and Liverpool play out a decidedly dismal 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon.
With the Blues running out champions, the tempo of their game was low—but Brendan Rodgers’ Reds still struggled to impose themselves.
Here are five key statistics from Chelsea 1-1 Liverpool.
7 – Yellow cards in a physical encounter at the Bridge
Cesc Fabregas set the tone early with a shocking late challenge, receiving a yellow card for the stud marks he left on Raheem Sterling’s ankle.
Over the course of the game referee Andre Marriner produced a total of seven yellow cards, with both Chelsea and Liverpool somewhat lax in terms of their disciplinary approach on the field.
92.6 – Raheem Sterling’s passing accuracy, the highest of any Liverpool player to complete 90 minutes
Sterling has struggled to produced consistent form in a Liverpool shirt in recent weeks, but at Stamford Bridge he was one of the most composed players for Rodgers’ side.
Operating initially in a right-wing role, then switching to the left flank, Sterling probed and crafted chances with persistence.
His 92.6 percent passing accuracy was the highest of any Liverpool player to complete the full 90 minutes—with Jordon Ibe posting a perfect 100 percent accuracy—and was level with Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel as the second highest behind Terry (93.1%).
15 – Touches of the ball made by Rickie Lambert
Rickie Lambert took Mario Balotelli’s place as Liverpool’s lone striker for the second fixture running, after a strong showing up front against Queens Park Rangers last weekend.
Against Chelsea, however, the 33-year-old showed exactly why he is expected to depart this summer. With just 15 touches of the ball in 67 minutes, Lambert’s lack of pace completely exiled him from Liverpool’s attacking play.
7 – Tackles made by Emre Can at right-back
Emre Can is not a right-back, but he remains one of Liverpool’s busiest and most creative players despite this.
As usual in this role, Can was targeted by the Blues, with Eden Hazard driving at him consistently. The 21-year-old stood strong for the most part, making seven successful tackles—the most of any player on Sunday.
6 – Points behind Manchester United with two games to go
Liverpool’s draw sees them finish the weekend six points behind fourth-placed Manchester United with two games to go. The Red Devils also hold a 14-goal lead on Rodgers’ side.
If the Reds are to stand any chance of qualifying for next season’s Champions League they must hope for a significant slip up by Louis van Gaal’s United.
The chances are very slim, to say the least.
Statistics via WhoScored.
What did you make of Liverpool’s 1-1 draw away to Chelsea? Let us know in the comments below.
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