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A second-half brace from Sadio Mane consigned 10-man Chelsea to a disappointing defeat at home to Liverpool in the second round of fixtures in the 2020-21 Premier League season.
The Senegalese international grabbed both goals in the space of four minutes early in the second half against the 10 men of Chelsea, who had had Andreas Christensen sent off just before the break.
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The Dane’s sending off had been the biggest incident of a fairly uneventful first half at Stamford Bridge, with neither side really creating much of an opening. However, the game sprang to life soon after play resumed in the second half, with Mane heading home Roberto Firmino’s cross with 50 minutes played.
A terrible mistake from under-fire Chelsea keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga then gifted Mane his second as the Spaniard played his pass out from the back straight at Mane, who slotted home from six yards out.
The game devolved into an attack-versus-defence drill from then on, until Liverpool new boy Thiago offered Chelsea a way back into the match by bringing down Timo Werner in the box. However, Jorginho picked an inopportune moment to miss his first Chelsea penalty, preserving Liverpool’s clean sheet and ensuring that they conceded the three points to Liverpool.
Here are the 5 talking points from Liverpool’s win in the first ‘big six’ clash of the 2020-21 season.
#1. Spotlight on Chelsea’s defence
Despite finishing in the Champions League places last season and adding a number of stars to their squad ahead of the start of the new season, Chelsea seem to be plagued by the same defensive issues that affected them last season.
Although they have added Thiago Silva to their ranks, reverting to a back four instead of a back three that brought them some success at the end of last season, seems to be leaving the Chelsea back-line vulnerable. Additionally, the poor form of Kepa behind them makes for further cause for concern for the Blues.
Although Brighton were unable to take full advantage of this weakness, Liverpool were much more ruthless and Frank Lampard will be looking for ways to address this worrisome issue going forward.
#2. First look at Thiago
The first few matchdays of the Premier League offer clubs the chance to test out and show off their new signings, and this game was Liverpool’s opportunity to hand Thiago Alcantara his debut in English football.
Having recently joined from Bayern Munich, the Spaniard came on at half time to replace Jordan Henderson and slotted into the Liverpool midfield seamlessly, spraying the ball about with trademark ease and elegance.
Although he blotted his copybook by upending Timo Werner in the penalty area and conceding a penalty late on, it was a largely encouraging display from the excellent midfielder.
#3. Kepa’s goalkeeping woes continue
A new goalkeeper had been rumoured to be on Chelsea’s lengthy shopping list this season, especially considering Kepa’s patchy form in between the sticks for the Blues last season. The signing of Edouard Mendy from Rennes seems imminent, and, considering Kepa’s latest showing, feels like his arrival can’t come soon enough.
Having overcome a nervous moment in the first half when he raced out to intercept a through ball unsuccessfully leaving his goal unguarded, the Spaniard’s misery was compounded in the second half by a terrible error.
With another competitor for the goalkeeper spot incoming, Kepa will have to bring about a dramatic improvement in his performances if he wants to retain his place in the starting lineup.
#4. Liverpool’s formidable front-three pick up from where they left off last season
While Mohamed Salah’s hat-trick proved to be the difference against Leeds last season, it was Mane’s brace that won the game for Liverpool this time around. As is often the case, Liverpool’s attacking triumvirate seems to have started sharing the goals and assists around already, with the first goal against Chelsea seeing all three of Salah, Roberto Firmino, and Mane involved.
Having played a neat one-two with Salah on the right, it was Firmino who dinked in the perfect cross for Mane to head home the opener, setting Liverpool on the path to victory. If this is a sign of things to come as the season progresses, opposition Premier League defences need to watch out.
#5. Packed Premier League schedule taking its toll already
Despite ending up as a comfortable victory for the reigning champions, this match did not come to life until Christensen was sent off in the dying stages of the first half. Till then, the match had been hanging in the balance, with neither side able to carve out especially threatening openings.
In fact, Christensen’s red card was the highlight of a first half that was characterised by tired passes and laboured movements as both sides struggled for momentum.
Had both sides retained their full complement of players, the result might have been different, but Liverpool would no doubt have been thankful for the man advantage as they wrapped up a win that was made much more comfortable for them than they would have expected.
