Liverpool won 2-1 against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Friday evening, thanks for first-half goals from Dejan Lovren and Jordan Henderson.
Chelsea 1-2 Liverpool
Premier League, Stamford Bridge
September 16, 2016
Goals
Lovren 17′ (assist: Coutinho)
Henderson 36′
Costa 59′ (assist: Matic)
Liverpool were dealt a big pre-match blow with the news that in-form forward Roberto Firmino would miss the game through injury.
It meant Philippe Coutinho slotted back into his left-hand side role, having started on the substitutes’ bench in last weekend’s 4-1 win over Leicester City.
The only other change from that emphatic victory over the Foxes was Dejan Lovren returning in place of Lucas Leiva at centre-back.
Meanwhile, for Chelsea, David Luiz came in for the injured John Terry, with the Brazilian making his first appearance since re-joining the Blues in the summer.
An early Daniel Sturridge shot almost squeezed past Thibaut Courtois, as the Reds just about enjoyed the better of the opening 15 minutes.
In the 17th minute, Liverpool took a deserved lead, as Lovren converted Coutinho’s inch-perfect cross at the back-post on the volley.
Liverpool’s lead was doubled in the 36th minute, with captain Henderson curling a stunning effort into the top corner from all of 30 yards.
It was no less than Klopp’s men deserved, following a superb first-half display, and they walked in at half-time in complete control.
- 150th appearance for Coutinho
- Lovren scores 3rd goal for Liverpool
- Henderson impresses and scores 30-yard stunner
- Reds move up to 4th in the league
Divock Origi replaced Sturridge 11 minutes into the second-half, with Klopp reacting to what was an improved Chelsea performance.
The Blues were back in it with an hour on the clock, as Nemanja Matic ghosted in behind the Liverpool defence, with the Serb crossing for Diego Costa to score from close-range.
The match suddenly had a completely different complexion, and Costa fired straight at Simon Mignolet as the hosts started to boss proceedings.
Origi was denied by Courtois with 10 minutes remaining, as Liverpool desperately tried to put the game to bed, but they still managed to see match out in a tense finale.
A huge three points for Liverpool.
TIA Man of the Match: Jordan Henderson
Referee: Martin Atkinson
Attendance: 41,514
Chelsea: Courtois, Ivanovic, Cahill, David Luiz, Azpilicueta, Kante, Willian (Moses 84′), Oscar (Pedro 84′), Matic (Fabregas 84′), Hazard, Costa.
Subs not used: Begovic, Aina, Alonso, Batshuayi
Liverpool: Mignolet, Clyne, Lovren, Matip, Milner, Henderson, Wijnaldum (Stewart 89′), Lallana, Coutinho (Lucas 82′), Mane, Sturridge (Origi 57′).
Subs not used: Karius, Moreno, Grujic, Ejaria
Next Match: Derby County – League Cup (away, Tuesday 20th September)
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