Liverpool beat Chelsea in a tense battle at Anfield, as they regained top spot of the Premier League after Manchester City’s late win a few hours earlier at Wolves.
After a cagey first 20 minutes, Curtis Jones was brought down in the penalty area by Levi Colwill, that gave referee John Brooks no choice to award the penalty. Mohammed Salah dispatched the penalty real authority to give them the lead.
Chelsea equalised early in the second half through Nicolas Jackson, with VAR having to intervene after the goal was originally awarded for offside, with the replays clearly showing Ibrahima Konaté playing him onside.
Less than three minutes later Curtis Jones made it 2-1 poking the ball home from a Mohammed Salah cross, as Liverpool held on for the victory, in a nervy end to the game.
Here are the key takeaways from the game.
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Arne Slot answers another test
Arne Slot has continued his incredible start to life as Liverpool head coach, with the win against Chelsea his tenth win out of his eleven games in charge.
The only real criticism the Liverpool manager has faced so far, is the level of opposition Liverpool had faced in the Premier League, as going into match week eight all the teams Liverpool faced sat in the bottom half of the Premier League.
The Chelsea win would appear to shut down those claims, however it didn’t come easy, for Slots side as he branded it an ‘equal game’ in his press conference and also stated: “There were phases in the game where we had to work really hard not to concede” (Optaanalyst).
This result keeps Liverpool one point clear at the top of the table with the tough run of fixtures coming up as they travel to RB Leipzig on Wednesday evening in the Champions League and to North London to face Arsenal on Sunday.
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Curtis Jones shines with MOTM display
Curtis Jones has had a week to remember after becoming a father, and putting up a complete display from midfield stating his claim in Liverpool’s midfield, in just his second Premier League start.
The scouser scored the winner early in the second half, after a late run from midfield caught out Chelsea’s offside trap as he dispatched from Mohammed Salah’s cross.
However most impressively for Curtis Jones was his defensive display with Jones eliminating Cole Palmer from influencing the game for Chelsea, which included a brilliant block to deny the Chelsea man in the first half. That wasn’t all as he won possession back six times for Liverpool and winning 75% of his ground duels, the stats often not associated with Curtis Jones’ skill set. His attacking threat from midfield was ever present also, as he won the penalty that Mohammed Salah converted. He nearly won a second penalty late in the first half following a collision with Robert Sanchez, though VAR intervened as Simon Hooper changed his decision after going to the monitor.
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher described Curtis Jones performance as ‘brilliant’ as Arne Slot will have a real headache for his starting midfield three for the next game.
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Trent Alexander-Arnold solid defensive display
Trent Alexander-Arnold for all his quality especially going forward, has often been criticised for his defensive qualities but answered those against Chelsea.
Facing the recently rejuvenated Jadon Sancho in the first half it looked to be a great battle, Alexander-Arnold though held his own as Jadon Sancho found no joy against his national teammate, with Chelsea’s main threat down Liverpool’s left. This led to his substitution at half time and new signing Pedro Neto was introduced, providing another difficult test for Liverpool’s right back.
Trent Alexander-Arnold dealt with the test again in the second half before his substitution in the 81st minute. The right back finished the game with 100% tackles won, four clearances and one vital interception in the first half (footmob).
In a game that relied on Liverpools defensive stability and concentration, Trent Alexander-Arnold was integral to that showcasing his excellence in one on one defending against two tricky left wing opposition.
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Mohammed Salah does it again
Another Premier League season for Salah and he’s showed no signs of slowing down with another goal this time from the spot and a wonderful assist for Curtis Jones, he continues to add to his brilliant Liverpool record.
Mohammed Salah’s penalty was his 162nd Premier League goal taking him to ninth on the all time rankings, level with Jermaine Defoe, just one behind Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler (163).
His performances this season warrants the question of is he going to sign a new contract with Liverpool, racking up five goals and five assists in the opening eight games of the Premier League season. Mohammed Salah is edgeing closer to another record as the Egyptian has now scored and assisted in 34 different matches in the Premier League, just two behind the most in Premier League history in Wayne Rooney (36).
