Liverpool secured a valuable three points on the road with a hard-fought 2-1 victory at Chelsea, maintaining their 100 percent start to the season.
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Chelsea 1-2 Liverpool
Premier League, Stamford Bridge
September 22, 2019
Goals: Kante 71’; Alexander-Arnold 14’, Firmino 30’
Liverpool arrived in the capital off the back of five successive wins in the Premier League and a disappointing defeat against Napoli in the Champions League, ensuring a swift return to winning ways was at the top of the agenda.
Frank Lampard’s side, similarly, fell to defeat in their opening European Cup clash with Valencia and started the weekend in sixth position in the league with eight points on the board.
It was a positive and energetic start from Jurgen Klopp’s side who looked to utilise their pace down the flanks to gain an early foothold in the game.
And while Chelsea had their moments in what was an open first-half, it was the Reds who established an early lead after Mohamed Salah flicked the ball in Trent’s direction from a free-kick to which he duly slammed the ball into the back of the net with the perfect level of precision.
The Blues then provided a wake-up call as Cesar Azpilicueta appeared to have levelled the scores soon after in following a poor defensive passage in a congested six-yard box, but Mason Mount was ruled offside in the build-up by VAR.
Liverpool took advantage of the situation as they then raced to the other end of the field where Roberto Firmino rose highest to head home Trent’s dead-ball delivery to take a two-goal lead into the break.
A similarly free-flowing affair followed in the second 45, where Chelsea exerted more pressure while the Reds struggled to find the rhythm and level of composure displayed in the opening term.
And they paid the price with 20 minutes left on the clock as N’Golo Kante easily bypassed the Reds and steered his effort beyond Adrian.
It led to a needless tense and nervy finish to the encounter but Klopp’s men ultimately hung on and secured their 15th successive Premier League victory to maintain their 100 percent winning start to the season.
Liverpool will now turn their attention to the League Cup where they will travel to face MK Dons on Wednesday evening, where Klopp is expected to ring the changes and introduce some fresh faces after three fixtures eight days.
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