Chelsea welcome Liverpool to Stamford Bridge for a massive game in the Premier League title race
(AFP via Getty Images)
Chelsea play Liverpool in a massive game in the Premier League title race on Sunday.
The Blues have dropped off the pace at the top of the table in recent weeks and now sit 11 points behind league leaders Manchester City after the champions came back to beat Arsenal on Saturday. Manager Thomas Tuchel has Covid and injury problems to address with Reece James the latest first-team star to be forced onto the sidelines. A bigger concern is Romelu Lukaku with the emergence of the striker’s controversial interview this week costing him his place in the squad.
Jurgen Klopp has Covid issues of his own with Alisson, Roberto Firmino and Joel Matip joining the manager himself in missing the game with suspected positive tests. The Reds will be desperate to get back on track after defeat at Leicester last time out with Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane featuring for the final time before jetting off to the Africa Cup of Nations later this week.
Follow all the latest Premier League updates and analysis throughout the afternoon here:
Chelsea 0-2 Liverpool
38 mins: The Liverpool fans are making a huge amount of noise in the far corner of Stamford Bridge just now. And why wouldn’t they? Their side are out of sight as it stands.
You feel Chelsea need to find something to cling on to before half-time because Liverpool will almost certainly score again.
Dylan Terry2 January 2022 17:09
Chelsea 0-2 Liverpool
36 mins: Liverpool now plugging the gaps, absorbing Chelsea’s possession and looking to hit the hosts on the break.
Salah scampers clear after a sustained period of Chelsea possession and suddenly Tuchel’s men are cut open! It’s three vs two in Liverpool’s favour but Chalobah does well to snuff out the danger as Salah’s effort deflects out for a corner.
Liverpool look ridiculously dangerous on the break.
Dylan Terry2 January 2022 17:07
Chelsea 0-2 Liverpool
33 mins: Could have got worse for Chelsea as VAR check for a possible red card on Mason Mount. He appeared to kick out at Tsimikas as the Liverpool player was on the floor.
But nothing doing. We go on.
Dylan Terry2 January 2022 17:03
Chelsea 0-2 Liverpool
31 mins: It must be so demoralising as a Chelsea player to dominate almost all of the opening 30 minutes and find yourselves 2-0 down.
Liverpool are just unapologetically ruthless when it comes to punishing teams. It’s almost sickening. But it’s also sensational.
Dylan Terry2 January 2022 17:02
Chelsea 0-2 Liverpool
The end of a majestic goal.
(Getty Images)
Dylan Terry2 January 2022 17:00
Chelsea 0-2 Liverpool
28 mins: Stamford Bridge has been silenced by that Salah goal. Sometimes there is nothing you can do about shear brilliance. This was one of those times.
Can Chelsea pick themselves off the floor?
Dylan Terry2 January 2022 17:00
GOAL! Chelsea 0-2 Liverpool (Salah, 26)
26 mins: OH WHAT A GOAL THIS IS!
Trent Alexander-Arnold clips a ball inside the right channel for Mo Salah. Salah looks as if he’s going to chop back onto his left foot but then darts back down the line before wrongfooting Edouard Mendy and curling the ball inside the near post.
Dylan Terry2 January 2022 16:56
Chelsea 0-1 Liverpool
23 mins: Mendy makes a good save from Salah but the flag is up anyway.
Mane feeds the Egyptian through and he is in one-on-one. Mendy stands tall and blocks Salah’s effort with his body but then the assistant referee raises his flag.
Dylan Terry2 January 2022 16:53
Dylan Terry2 January 2022 16:52
