Liverpool
Chelsea showed why they are champions of Europe after playing an entire half of their match against a top Liverpool side with just 10 men and snatching a point from their 1-1 draw away from home. While it was a superb display of defence by the London side after Reece James was shown the red card for handball in preventing a goal, they were just as determined to attack at every opportunity.
A ‘delighted’ Chelsea manager, Thomas Tuchel said: “I saw a very strong Liverpool side. We scored the first goal and had a chance for a second with Mason Mount. We lacked a bit of precision and could have had better chances but the pressure and energy was high from Liverpool. At some point you need to suffer and we conceded a penalty.”
He added: “We also lost N’Golo Kante at half-time with an injury so I cannot praise the team enough for their resilience and team work was fantastic.”
On the penalty, he commented: “I’d have liked a longer VAR check. The referee just looked at the image. I can remember referees who explained if it’s a deflection and it’s not a very unnatural arm position, maybe he stays with the decision. How he made the decision was too quick.”
Liverpool had an early chance to score when right-back Alexander Arnold sent an excellent crossfield pass, but Jordan Henderson’s volley went wide. Chelsea took the lead in the 22nd minute from Kai Havertz following an in-swinging corner from James. Havertz ran clear of Fabinho into a gap and steered a looping header which dropped just under the crossbar.
It was an action-packed end to the first half with Liverpool equalising and Chelsea being given two yellow cards and a red in the following scuffle. Goalkeeper Eduardo Mendy kicked the ball away at Henderson in frustration and got the first yellow and then Rudigar, for dissent.
During stoppage time at the end of the first half, Matip, in the six-yard box, headed against the bar and following that Sadio Mane’s attempt was blocked on the goal-line by James’ thigh, the ball then deflected to his right arm which he used instinctively to stop the ball. The referee checked VAR and pointed to the spot.
Liverpool’s equalising penalty was taken by Mohamed Salah who sent Mendy the wrong way with his 14th converted Premier League penalty in a row.
Liverpool applied pressure during the second half against the depleted side but Chelsea’s determined and disciplined defence stood solid, giving little hope to Liverpool of stealing a home win against such a strong team.
Liverpool manager, Jurgen Klopp, said: “I really feel for Reece. He did not want to do that it was not intentional but it was a handball. If it was 11 v 11, I don’t know the result but 1-1 is OK. We drew against the best team of last year in Europe so that is a good start. It was such an incredible, intense game.”
