Liverpool held league leaders Chelsea to a 1-all draw in a thrilling encounter at Anfield, thereby arresting a slide in momentum and avoiding the unpleasant record of a fourth consecutive defeat on home turf since 1924. The stalemate ensured that the Reds are placed fourth, a point behind Spurs and Arsenal who are tied on 47 points.
Midway through the first half, David Luiz scored his first goal for the Blues to put the visitors in front – a quick yet splendid effort that involved an element of surprise.
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The home side came into the second half all guns ablaze and their endeavours were aptly rewarded when Georginio Wijnaldum headed low into the net off a deflected James Milner cross to equalise.
Let us take a look at the five focal points from the game:
#5 Chelsea’s title to lose as Blues maintain lead; Liverpool still in top 4 race
Prior to the game, Chelsea were in pole position with 55 points, eight ahead of then second-placed team Arsenal. The draw did nothing to damage their claim as title front runners; in fact, anything other than a Liverpool win was detrimental to the home team’s aspirations for a title.
Although the Italian’s side played to win, they could have afforded to settle for a draw rather than drop all three points.
Spurs drew against Sunderland and Arsenal lost to Watford, thereby ensuring that the gap in points marginally increased to nine. Pochettino’s side are now second on goal difference while Arsenal dropped to third place.
Post-match, Liverpool are a point behind Spurs and Arsenal at 46 and 10 points behind Chelsea. The Reds could not make the most of the occasion to narrow the gap vs. Chelsea in the table. However, currently placed fourth, the Merseysiders are definitely in contention for the top 4, but it does look like the title is now Chelsea’s to lose.
#4 Firmino and Coutinho need their mojo back; Lallana a misfit in the front three
Roberto Firmino had two golden opportunities to score against Chelsea, both of which he scuffed in spectacular fashion. On a rainy night, when the need to break down the best defence in the league is a must and such chances should be made the most of.
However, Firmino skied the first shot as he rushed, when he had all the time in the world to take down the ball and pick a spot to place the ball. In the second instance, his header in injury time was aimed straight at Thibaut Courtois; if hit either side of the keeper, it could have been the winner.
Philippe Coutinho’s return to Klopp’s side has certainly benefited the Reds but the magician needs to get his mojo back. In this game, he was mediocre, and guilty of misplaced passes, taking too much time on the ball and not shooting when there were chances from the kind of range he prefers.
Liverpool will need the diminutive Brazilian to rediscover his form and scoring boots if they are to keep rivals from gaining any more ground on them.
Adam Lallana has been played in the front 3 in the absence of Sadio Mane due to AFCON and it would suffice to say that he hasn’t exactly flourished.
The Englishman was amongst the form players back at the end of 2016 but the change in position has not benefited him. He is his usual industrious self – taking down long balls with deft touches, wriggling out of tight spaces and running all over the pitch and helping out the defence. But his penetration in the final third has been lacking and that is where Liverpool need him the most.
#3 N’Golo Kante and Jordan Henderson boss the midfield for their respective sides
Kante snapped into tackles, breaking down Liverpool’s attacks every time a move was made through midfield. The Frenchman was everywhere on the pitch - winning second balls, using his body to shield it and transitioning a defensive move to attack with much swag and ease.
While Liverpool kept control of the ball for sustained periods – even during the last few minutes, it was this man who ensured they never got too far. His interceptions came at the most perfect of times and his pace and skill helped Chelsea launch counterattacks.
Jordan Henderson was arguably Liverpool’s man-of-the-match, narrowly edging goal-scorer Gini Wijnaldum to the honour. The Reds’ skipper kept things simple and led from the front, sprayed passes, kept the midfield ticking and certainly stood as a guard in front of his defence.
He covered James Milner as well as his centre-backs (both of whom were shoddy) in excellent fashion and his last-ditch tackle to prevent Pedro from scoring a goal minutes from the end was splendid. It was also his cross-field pass into the final third which eventually led to Liverpool’s equaliser.
#2 Hazard neutralised while Costa misses crucial penalty
Eden Hazard was probably one of the most potent threats Liverpool would have to deal with on the pitch. The Belgian fashions moves out of thin air and makes things happen for the Blues.
However, on this occasion, he was kept well in check by Nathaniel Clyne, ably supported by Henderson and the rest of the defence. Hazard was afforded very little time on the ball and was closed down effectively enough to neutralise his threat.
Diego Costa won a penalty about 10 minutes before the end of regular time, when Joel Matip was adjudged to have brought down the striker. Although Matip got a nudge of the ball, there was enough contact to warrant a spot kick and Mark Clattenburg did not err.
With Hazard off the pitch, Costa stepped up to take the penalty himself but his kick was saved. While his shot was powerful, he could have done better with the placement – a successful one would have all but guaranteed three points for the Blues and taken the wind out of Liverpool’s sails. Needless to say, the forward was disappointed with himself and his morose face said it all.
#1 Mignolet goes from zero to hero; Gini saves the day for the Reds
Midway through the first half, what looked like a perfectly legal shoulder challenge from Adam Lallana was adjudged to be a foul on Eden Hazard and the referee awarded Chelsea a free-kick within striking range.
What followed left Anfield shocked and surprised. The referee had blown the whistle but apparently Simon Mignolet had not heard it because he was still organising his wall.
Willian played the perfect dummy as David Luiz took the shot (and everyone by surprise!), which struck the inside of the post before nestling in the net. Chelsea had the all-important lead and Mignolet was at least partly to blame.
However, Liverpool’s goalkeeper saved a crucial penalty late in the game off Diego Costa, thereby making sure that the Reds come away with at least a point from the outing. Within a few minutes, he had gone from shocker to saviour. The importance of the save cannot be underrated and even Costa went over to congratulate the Belgian.
Gini Wijnaldum’s third Liverpool goal, meanwhile, could not have come at a better time. He rose in the box and headed Milner’s deflected cross low and away from Courtois, sending the Reds fans and players into a frenzy. It was also what gave Liverpool the impetus and thrust and Klopp’s men stepped on the gas in search of a win thereafter.
