Match report: Liverpool 2-1 Chelsea

Chelsea returned from Anfield without any points, even though they had greater possession and created more opportunities in the match, which ended in a 2-1 loss to Liverpool, the current league leaders.

Chelsea had a strong beginning to the game, maintaining good possession and control. However, they fell behind when Mo Salah scored a penalty just before the 30-minute mark.

Nicolas Jackson brought Chelsea level shortly after the break, but just three minutes later, the talented Curtis Jones regained the lead for Liverpool.

The Blues had the ball more often and generated multiple opportunities in both halves, but ultimately, we couldn’t score the second equalizer we required.

With Marc Cucurella and Wesley Fofana serving suspensions, the Blues had to make at least two changes to their lineup. One of those adjustments was the long-awaited return of Reece James, who had been sidelined with an injury since pre-season. James took over the right back position, while Malo Gusto filled in on the left side.

Tosin Adarabioyo stepped in for Fofana, while in the midfield, Romeo Lavia took over for Enzo Fernandez.

Both teams demonstrated strong tactical organization and solid defensive formations, which made it difficult to find scoring chances in the first part of the match. It wasn't until almost 15 minutes in that either team seriously threatened the other's defense. Noni Madueke made a quick move past Andy Robertson, and shortly after, Gusto reached the edge of the penalty area, but each time Liverpool managed to avert any real threat.

There was a quick moment of worry when Cody Gakpo picked off Robert Sanchez's clearance deep in our penalty area, but our goalkeeper managed to collect the ball without any trouble.

Chelsea dominated possession during the first 15 minutes, holding onto the ball for two-thirds of that time. Madueke managed to slip past Robertson again after a well-placed long pass, but when he passed the ball to Cole Palmer, who was just ten yards away from the goal, Jones intervened with a slide tackle to block the attempt. He quickly got back on his feet to deny Palmer's follow-up shot aimed at the goal.

However, it was Liverpool that took the advantage when Levi Colwill was deemed to have fouled Jones inside the penalty area. Salah then converted the penalty, sending Sanchez the wrong way.

Just two minutes later, Liverpool came close to increasing their lead again when the ball hit the back of the net once more. However, Salah was offside before he set up Gakpo for an easy finish at the far post.

Chelsea nearly leveled the score just a minute later when Caicedo sent a pass to Jackson. However, Jackson's first shot from 15 yards went wide, hitting the outside of the near post.

The match became more dynamic following the goal. Shortly after Chelsea's request for a penalty was dismissed, Sanchez had to make a standard save against a shot from Dominik Szoboszlai during the ensuing counter-attack.

As the first half was coming to an end, the pace of the game slowed down. However, during injury time, Liverpool received another penalty when Sanchez ran out to make a save and collided with Jones. After reviewing the play on the monitor, referee Mark Halsey changed his mind, as the video clearly showed that the goalkeeper got to the ball before making contact with Jones.

Chelsea had another opportunity to level the score when Madueke made a great move down the right side and set up Palmer, but Palmer's left-foot shot from 12 yards missed the target and sailed over the crossbar.

During halftime, Maresca made a tactical change by substituting Pedro Neto for Jadon Sancho. Just three minutes after the second half began, the Blues managed to score the equalizer. Caicedo played a clever pass to Jackson, who skillfully handled it before confidently placing the ball into the bottom corner. Although the referee initially called offside and blew the whistle, VAR confirmed that the Senegalese striker had executed his run flawlessly, allowing the goal to stand.

However, the tie was short-lived, lasting just three minutes, as Salah delivered a cross from the right that found Jones making a run. He deftly tapped the ball past Sanchez from a close distance and at a sharp angle.

The Blues made three substitutions, likely planned before the goal. James and Lavia, who were back to full fitness after their injuries, came off for Renato Veiga and Enzo Fernandez. Meanwhile, Tosin, who was already on a yellow card, was substituted for Benoit Badiashile.

The hectic beginning of the half calmed down a little, but Madueke did manage to get a volley saved after receiving a cross from Neto on the left. Meanwhile, Palmer's free-kick was stopped by the wall.

Palmer attempted another shot on goal that was stopped during a threatening play, and as the first half progressed, Neto's impact on the game increased. He then sent a long-range shot off target shortly after.

In the second half, the Blues had a greater share of the ball and brought on Christopher Nkunku as they sought another goal to level the match.

As the half came to a close, Liverpool contained our offense, but we still had a couple of near misses during the seven minutes of added time as we pushed to find an equalizer.

Veiga attempted to score with a header from Palmer's curling free-kick, while a risky cross from Neto at the far post narrowly eluded Nkunku just a few feet from the goal. In the dying moments of the match, Gusto tried to take a shot that looked destined for the net, but it got blocked. Unfortunately, luck wasn't on their side.

Manchester City scored a last-minute goal against Wolves earlier today, causing Liverpool to fall to second place before their match. However, with today's victory of 2-1, the Reds have reclaimed the top spot in the league.

Regarding the Blues, we are now in sixth place, merely three points behind Arsenal and Aston Villa, who hold the third and fourth spots respectively.

Chelsea's upcoming match is this Thursday, where they'll visit Panathinaikos for their second game in the knockout stage of the Conference League.

We will be back in action in the Premier League on Sunday, hosting Newcastle United at our home ground.

Liverpool (4-2-3-1 formation): Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold (replaced by Gomez in the 81st minute), Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Jones (substituted for Mac Allister in the 81st minute); Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo (taken off for Diaz in the 65th minute); Jota (replaced by Nunez in the 30th minute). Players not used: Jaros, Endo, Tsimikas, Quansah, Morton. Goals: Salah scored in the 29th minute. Yellow cards: Szoboszlai (45+8), Nunez (69), Konate (80).

Chelsea lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation: Sanchez in goal; James (captain) was joined by Tosin (replaced by Badiashile in the 52nd minute), Colwill, and Gusto in defense; Caicedo and Lavia (substituted by Enzo in the 52nd minute) made up the midfield; while the attacking trio consisted of Madueke (who made way for Nkunku in the 76th minute), Palmer, and Sancho, with Jackson playing as the striker. The substitutes who didn’t take the field included Bettinelli, Disasi, Dewsbury-Hall, and Joao Felix. The team ended up with bookings for Tosin in the 7th minute, Jackson in the 28th minute, and Veiga in the 78th minute.