After enjoying a series of victories, Chelsea faced a harsh reality check at Anfield as Liverpool dominated every aspect of the game, leaving the Blues and their disappointed traveling supporters with no consolation.
The turning point occurred in the 23rd minute when Diogo Jota skillfully maneuvered between Thiago Silva and Benoit Badiashile to give Liverpool the lead. Shortly thereafter, Conor Bradley extended Liverpool’s advantage with a well-placed shot into the bottom corner, leaving Chelsea vulnerable.
Just before halftime, a foul by Benoit Badiashile on Jota in the box resulted in a missed penalty by Darwin Nunez. In response to Chelsea’s struggles, Mauricio Pochettino made three halftime substitutions, yet Liverpool continued their dominance into the second half, sealing the evening with a third goal through a header past Djordje Petrovic.
While Christopher Nkunku managed to respond for Chelsea, Luis Diaz quickly extinguished any hopes of a comeback. The evening proved disheartening and frustrating for Chelsea and their supporters.
Player ratings for Bobby Vincent reflect Djordje Petrovic’s commendable saves early in the game, denying Darwin Nunez on multiple occasions.
Axel Disasi faced a formidable challenge against the dangerous Luis Diaz, resulting in a turbulent night and a rating of 5.
Thiago Silva, alongside Benoit Badiashile, struggled to contain Jota, conceding a goal and falling short of their usual standards, earning Silva a rating of 4.
Benoit Badiashile made crucial tackles early in the game but failed to prevent Jota’s goal and conceded a penalty, earning a subpar rating of 4.
Ben Chilwell’s carelessness in giving the ball to Nunez nearly cost Chelsea, reflecting his overall lackluster performance, resulting in a rating of 4.
Moises Caicedo’s role in the poorly executed second goal allowed Liverpool to capitalize on a counterattack, contributing to a subpar performance and a rating of 5.
Enzo Fernandez struggled to make an impact in gaining possession, falling short of his usual standards and receiving a rating of 5.
Conor Gallagher had a strong early penalty appeal rejected by Paul Tierney and VAR, setting the tone for an unremarkable performance throughout the game, earning him a rating of 4.
In summary, Chelsea’s defeat at Anfield was marked by defensive lapses, missed opportunities, and an overall lack of cohesion. The disappointing performances across various positions underscored the magnitude of the setback for Chelsea, prompting a reassessment of their strategies and execution moving forward.
