Chelsea vs Liverpool LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction from thrilling match
Chelsea welcomed Liverpool to Stamford Bridge for a massive game in the Premier League title race
Chelsea and Liverpool played out one of the games of the Premier League season with a pulsating draw at Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon.
Thomas Tuchel's decision to drop Romelu Lukaku following the airing of a controversial interview this week dominated pre-match discussions before it was revealed Alisson, Roberto Firmino and Joel Matip had joined Jurgen Klopp in being ruled out of the contest with suspected positive Covid tests.
Sadio Mane gave the visitors the perfect start, however, with a well-taken opening goal before Mohamed Salah doubled the Reds' lead with a fine run and finish.
Mateo Kovacic went one better, though, finding the net with a sumptuous volley from the edge of the area before Christian Pulisic netted what proved to be the equaliser just before half-time.
Both teams pushed for winners in the second period but it wasn't to be with the main beneficiaries proving to be title rivals Manchester City, who now sit 10 points clear at the top of the table.
Liverpool team news
And here is the Liverpool line-up: Kelleher, Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Tsimikas, Fabinho, Henderson, Milner, Mane, Salah, Jota.
Subs: Adrian, Pitaluga, Keita, Gomez, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Jones, Beck, Williams, Morton.
Chelsea team news
Here is your Chelsea line-up for today’s game then: Mendy, Chalobah, Silva, Rudiger, Azpilicueta, Kante, Kovacic, Alonso, Mount, Havertz, Pulisic.
Subs: Kepa, Sarr, Hall, Jorginho, Saul, Barkley, Hudson-Odoi, Vale, Ziyech.
Chelsea players back Tuchel amid Lukaku scandal
Regarding the Thomas Tuchel’s handling of the Romelu Lukaku situation, The Independent’s Miguel Delaney has said: “Am told Chelsea squad broadly supportive of how Tuchel has handled all this.”
Liverpool statement
The Liverpool statement regarding the three suspected positives reads: “Alisson Becker, Roberto Firmino and Joel Matip have been ruled out of Liverpool’s clash with Chelsea today after returning suspected positive tests for COVID-19.
“The trio will play no part in the fixture at Stamford Bridge and are now isolating.
“It follows news Jürgen Klopp will not be present at the encounter after also registering a suspected positive test.
“All other members of the Reds’ playing squad have subsequently been tested and received negative results.”
Alisson, Firmino and Matip all out
Breaking team news as the three Liverpool players with suspected positive Covid tests have been confirmed as Alisson Becker, Joel Matip and Roberto Firmino.
Big blow for the visitors.
Leeds 1-1 Burnley
There’s also been another goal at Elland Road where Maxwel Cornet has equalised for Burnley against Leeds.
Spoils being shared in the relegation six-pointer as it stands.
Everton 1-2 Brighton
Game on at Goodison?
Anthony Gordon has pulled one back for the hosts eight minutes into the second half and all of a sudden Everton are right back in it.
Klopp to miss Chelsea clash
Jurgen Klopp will miss Liverpool’s crucial match at Chelsea on Sunday after testing positive for Covid-19.
The Liverpool manager is experiencing mild symptoms and now joins the list of three staff members and three players who have tested positive this week.
In Friday’s press conference Klopp did not reveal who had tested positive but hinted the cases would affect his first XI for the game at Stamford Bridge between second and third in the Premier League. “It’s not so cool at the moment,” Klopp said. “I’m not able to say who it is but it’ll be pretty clear on the team sheet.”
Klopp’s assistant Pep Lijnders will lead the team into the crunch fixture. Liverpool are one point behind second-placed Chelsea with a game in hand.
Lukaku on the tip of all tongues
Romelu Lukaku’s name is everywhere ahead of today’s game...as Miguel Delaney illustrates.
Chelsea vs Liverpool team news
No line-ups confirmed yet - that will come at 3.30pm. But here is a reminder of what we know already.
Chelsea are without Ben Chilwell, Thiago Silva, Andreas Christensen and Reece James, while Timo Werner and Kai Havertz are both still on the road to full recovery from Covid-19.
Romelu Lukaku is set to be dropped after his controversial interview angered boss Thomas Tuchel.
Liverpool have most key players available, with only Divock Origi, Takumi Minamino, Nat Phillips and Harvey Elliott on their injury table.
Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane are available before travelling to the African Cup of Nations. Thiago Alcantara was left out of the defeat at Leicester and is set to be absent yet again.
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