Jurgen Klopp and Maurizio Sarri went head-to-head for the second time in a week and this time the two sides couldn’t be separated.
Chelsea 1-1 Liverpool
Premier League (7), Stamford Bridge
Saturday, 29 September 2018
Goals
Hazard 25′ (assist: Kovacic)
Sturridge 89′
Klopp made nine changes from the side that lost to Chelsea in the League Cup in midweek, but the good news was that Virgil van Dijk was passed fit after struggling with a rib injury.
Both sides were looking to move top of the league and keep their unbeaten starts to the campaign going – with Liverpool seeking to become only the second team in Premier League history to win their opening seven games.
There were two early chances for Salah from identical positions; one lacked power and was straight at Arrizabalaga in the Chelsea goal and the second was high and very wide.
It was Chelsea who opened the scoring, with Eden Hazard following up his winning goal at Anfield with the opener at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea played through Liverpool’s midfield and Hazard drove the ball past Alisson with his left foot from the corner of the box.
Salah had the first opportunity to equalise, but once he rounded the keeper the angle became narrow and his shot was cleared off the line by Rudiger.
The Egyptian then should have done better when attempting to play in Roberto Firmino who was in acres of space in the penalty box but Salah’s pass was poor.
HT: Chelsea 1-0 Liverpool
- Hazard opens scoring
- Liverpool’s front three struggle to make impact
- Sturridge stunner minutes after coming on
- Reds move to second in table
Hazard a big chance to make it 2-0 just after the hour. Salah was outmuscled at one end and the home side broke away but Alisson made a good save to deny the Belgian.
Salah was subbed for Xherdan Shaqiri shortly after. Last season’s top scorer seeming either physically or psychologically still struggling with that shoulder injury.
Shaqiri had the chance to equalise from Andy Robertson‘s beautiful cross but he couldn’t get a good enough connection to finish.
There was another big chance shortly after, when Milner eventually teed up Firmino but his header was blocked on the line by Luiz.
Klopp brought on Naby Keita for Jordan Henderson, then Daniel Sturridge was introduced with four minutes remaining and the forward smashed his 50th Premier League goal for the Reds with a brilliant strike from 22 yards.
It was a stunning strike from the former Chelsea player, perfectly placed into the top corner on the angle with his left foot.
Both sides pushed for a winner but the points were shared – although the manner of the late equaliser means it’s Liverpool will leave the happier.
The result puts the Reds second in the table, level on points with Man City – who they host at Anfield next weekend.
TIA Man of the Match: Virgil van Dijk
Referee: Andre Marriner
Chelsea: Arrizabalaga, Azpilicueta, Luiz, Rudiger, Alonso, Jorginho, Kante, Kovavic (Barkley 80), Willian (Moses 73), Hazard, Giroud (Morata 64).
Subs not used: Caballero, Cahill, Zappacosta, Fabregas.
Liverpool: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson, Henderson (Keita 78), Wijnaldum, Milner (Sturridge 86), Salah (Shaqiri 66), Firmino, Mane
Subs not used: Mignolet, Matip, Moreno, Fabinho.
Next Match: Napoli (away, Wednesday 3rd October)
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