Liverpool clinched an important win against Chelsea at Anfield as they moved back to the top of the Premier League with a strong display on Sunday afternoon.
The Reds struck first in the 29th minute when Mohamed Salah confidently converted a penalty, putting his team in the lead and reflecting their first half dominance.
However, Chelsea responded quickly, with Nicolas Jackson levelling the score just four minutes into the second half with a well-taken goal.
Two minutes later, Liverpool were back in front back when a brilliant pass found Curtis Jones in the six-yard box. The 23-year-old expertly clipped the ball past the outstretched arms of Robert Sánchez, marking his first goal since New Year’s Day.
As it happened
The game’s opening stages saw a fast start, with Liverpool dominating possession early on, but they were unable to create any clear-cut chances against a stubborn Chelsea defence.
The away side weathered the initial pressure and started to play balls in behind the Liverpool defence which caused problems for Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
However, in the 29th minute, the home side was awarded a penalty after Jones was brought down in the box by Levi Colwill. Salah stepped up to take the spot kick and buried it past Sánchez to give Liverpool a well deserved lead.
Embed from Getty ImagesFollowing the goal, Arne Slot’s men continued to create chances, and Dominik Szoboszlai had a brilliant opportunity to extend Liverpool’s lead, but the attacking midfielder’s effort was easily saved by Sánchez.
Cole Palmer then had a fantastic chance at the end of the first half to level up the match, but the midfielder’s effort went just over the bar to the relief of the home side.
Four minutes into the second half, Jackson levelled the game up for the Blues after he was put through by Moisés Caicedo, and the 23-year-old made no mistake putting his effort past Caoimhin Kelleher.
Two minutes later, Chelsea’s hard work was undone when Salah’s brilliant first-time cross found Jones in the box, and the 23-year-old composed himself and slotted it past Sánchez to give the home side the lead again.
Embed from Getty ImagesChelsea searched for the equaliser after falling behind again and had plenty of opportunities to test Kelleher, but they were unable to create any clear-cut chances.
Substitute Benoît Badiashile had the final chance of the game for the away side two minutes into extra time, but the centre-back was unable to keep his headed effort down as Liverpool claimed a big three points at home.
This marks a big result for the hosts; after Manchester City’s win at Molineux earlier in the day, Liverpool have kept themselves at the top of the table, this even more significant following Arsenal’s defeat at Bournemouth on Saturday.
For Chelsea, defeat represents a real missed opportunity to break into the top four. Three points would’ve meant third place; they would’ve even leapfrogged Arsenal in the process. As things stand, though, they’re stuck in sixth place, a clash with Newcastle United on the horizon.
The lineups
LIV: Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Konaté, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Jones; Salah, Szoboszlai, Gapko; Jota
CHE: Sánchez; James, Tosin, Colwill, Gusto; Caicedo, Lavia; Madueke, Palmer, Sancho; Jackson