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Liverpool host Chelsea at Anfield hoping to maintain their spot at the top of the Premier League table. Arne Slot has had a fantastic start to his tenure as Liverpool manager with six wins from his first seven top-flight outing.
The Reds came into the weekend with a slender lead over Manchester City and Arsenal though the Gunners failed to capitalise when they slumped to a 2-0 defeat to Bournemouth on Saturday evening.
Liverpool’s last outing was a 1-0 away win at Crystal Palace and Slot will hope that his players have had sufficient recovery time over the international break ahead of what is undoubtedly the biggest test the Reds have faced yet with Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea flying in the league.
The former Leicester City manager has settled nicely at Stamford Bridge steering the Blues to four wins from their seven matches and beating Liverpool will be his biggest statement so far. The hosts ran away 4-1 winners in the same fixture last season so Chelsea have their work cut out this afternoon.
Follow all the Premier League action with our live blog below:
Liverpool 2-1 Chelsea
Liverpool are certainly looking to close out the game at the moment, as opposed to pouring numbers forward looking for a third. Chelsea aren’t threatening a lot, to be honest, but you’d think they’ll have at least one more chance.
Chris Wilson20 October 2024 18:26
Liverpool 2-1 Chelsea
It does feel as though the next 5 minutes or so could go a long way towards shaping both clubs’ seasons – win and it is easier to call Liverpool title challengers, lose and it is more likely the best-case scenario for Chelsea is fourth place. An open affair means a comeback is feasible, but so is a bigger win. Either way, there feels one more goal left in this game.
Richard Jolly at Anfield20 October 2024 18:25
Liverpool 2-1 Chelsea
Liverpool try pressing high but Chelsea make their way out of it thanks to some good passing and a shimmy from Caicedo. The home side win a free-kick in the end though after a tired challenge.
Chris Wilson20 October 2024 18:24
Liverpool 2-1 Chelsea
Gusto is down briefly after a heavy challenge from Mac Allister. He’s okay to carry on though.
Chelsea attack and it ends with Gomez putting it behind for a corner. Gusto clips the ball in towards the back post, and it’s headed away for a throw, before Neto is dispossessed as he tried to knock it past Gomez.
Chris Wilson20 October 2024 18:23
Liverpool 2-1 Chelsea
Will there be another big chance in this match? Common sense would say yes, but it really doesn’t feel like it at the moment. Both sides are playing in quite a pedestrian manner, and a lot of the earlier energy has left the game for now.
Chris Wilson20 October 2024 18:19
Sanchez tries to launch a Chelsea counter but Nkunku is scythed down by his compatriot Konate. He is booked for his troubles.
Alexis Mac Allister comes on Jones for in midfield, while Alexander-Arnold comes off for Joe Gomez.
Chris Wilson20 October 2024 18:17
Liverpool 2-1 Chelsea
Diaz is brought down by Veiga near halfway and the Portuguese is booked.
Liverpool try and launch an attack but there’s no space between the lines, so they work it back to Konate, before Diaz eventually fizzes a low shot too close to Sanchez.
Chris Wilson20 October 2024 18:16
Liverpool 2-1 Chelsea
Alexander-Arnold delivers the cross from the set-piece but it’s headed away too easily. Liverpool collect the ball again, with Salah sending it forward to the overlapping Szoboszlai, but his cutback it cut out by Fernandez.
Chris Wilson20 October 2024 18:14
Liverpool 2-1 Chelsea
Badiashile bundles into Nunez and he concedes a naive free-kick near the byline.
Chelsea make another change as Noni Madueke makes way for Christopher Nkunku.
Chris Wilson20 October 2024 18:12
Liverpool 2-1 Chelsea
Both sides are struggling to keep the ball for sustained periods, and there have been few attacks of note since it went to 2-1. Chelsea will certainly feel like they’re still in it though.
Szoboszlai’s pass is cut out by Fernandez and it runs to Neto, who surges towards the box and unleashes a shot from distance that bobbles past the far post.
Chris Wilson20 October 2024 18:10