Leaders Liverpool set the tone from the first minute against Chelsea FC and dominated the Blues for almost the full distance in front of their home crowd. One player in particular stood out in the Reds’ 4-1 victory
Jürgen Klopp made four changes to his team after the 5-2 home win against Norwich in the FA Cup. In place of Quansah, Gravenberch, McConnell and Gakpo, van Dijk, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister and Luis Diaz started. Chelsea coach Mauricio Pochettino made one change from the 0-0 cup draw against Aston Villa, bringing on Chilwell for Gilchrist
Darwin misses several times, Diogo Jota does not
From the first minute, Liverpool were the better team and LFC quickly made it clear they wanted to restore their five-point lead over Manchester City, who had previously won in commanding fashion. While the Reds created plenty of chances in the first 20 minutes (Darwin; 6th and 14th) and were denied twice by the aluminum (9th and 18th), Diogo Jota did better than his fellow striker Darwin, who had missed a number of chances in the early stages: The Portuguese dribbled past two defenders brilliantly and finished safely in front of Petrovic to take the lead (23rd).
Even after the goal, LFC did not let up and had the chance to score a second through Jones, but Petrovic made a strong save, as he had done against Darwin (31′). Eight minutes later, however, even Chelsea’s goalkeeper could do nothing more when youngster and right-back Bradley fired the ball into the corner after a Liverpool counter-attack (39′). Shortly before the break, the Reds even had the chance to make it all clear in the first half with a penalty – but Darwin struck the spot-kick against the right-hand post (45.+2).
Bradley again and again – Nkunku’s goal too little
Chelsea came out of the dressing room with three new players (Gusto, Mudryk and Nkunku) and the visitors became bolder. Mudryk should have scored the equalizer in the 51st minute, but scored from behind across the Reds’ box. Instead, Liverpool got serious once again and took the lead after Szoboszlai headed in from a Bradley cross (65′).
However, Chelsea did not give up and surprisingly made it 3-1 after Nkunku had exploited the passivity of the Liverpool back line (71′). However, LFC knew how to react after conceding the goal and had an answer ready. Darwin first missed the 4:1 after his header hit the crossbar (76′), but instead it was Luis Diaz who put the lid on it three minutes later (79′).
League leaders Liverpool ran out deserved winners and kept their rivals at bay. The top match at Arsenal FC is scheduled for Sunday at 5.30 pm. Chelsea host Wolves at 3pm on the same day
