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 welcomed Liverpool to Stamford Bridge for a massive game in the Premier League title race (Chelsea FC via Getty Images)

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.

Chelsea vs Liverpool Premier League updates

• Romelu Lukaku dropped after controversial interview
• Sadio Mane profits from defensive mistake to slot in opener
• Mohamed Salah doubles lead with fine run and near-post finish
• Mateo Kovacic volleys in stunner from range
• Christian Pulisic fires home equaliser before half-time

[2 January 2022 17:21 · Dylan Terry]

HALF-TIME: Chelsea 2-2 Liverpool

Quite simply one of the best 45 minutes of football you will ever see.

Liverpool were 2-0 up. Chelsea fought back to 2-2. Chelsea then almost go in front before the break. The only disappointment is the half-time whistle.

WOW.

[2 January 2022 17:19 · Dylan Terry]

Chelsea 2-2 Liverpool

45+3 mins: Ok, this is official stupid. Chelsea nearly go in front before the break!

Tuchel’s men break and Havertz’s deflected shot flies towards Mount whose scuffed effort looks to be bobbling towards the bottom corner but just drifts wide of Kelleher’s right hand post.

[2 January 2022 17:16 · Dylan Terry]

GOAL! Chelsea 2-2 Liverpool (Pulisic, 45+1)

45+1 mins: OH MY WORD!

Rudiger hooks a ball over the top for Kante who in turn flicks it on for Pulisic. The American chests it down and then hooks it into the top corner beyond Kelleher.

It’s 2-2 and Stamford Bridge is bouncing!

[2 January 2022 17:15 · Dylan Terry]

Chelsea 1-2 Liverpool

44 mins: This has been a sensational 45 minutes of football, truly breathtaking.

Two absolutely world class goals from Mo Salah and Mateo Kovacic will be the headlines, but the general pace and quality of the game has been utterly mouthwatering.

Wonderful stuff.

[2 January 2022 17:12 · Dylan Terry]

GOAL! Chelsea 1-2 Liverpool (Kovacic, 42)

42 mins: IT’S ANOTHER ABSOLUTE SCREAMER!

Hang on, offside? Nope! The ball comes out to Kovacic on the edge of the area and on the volley he fires it into the top corner off the post!

A remarkable strike to bring Chelsea right back into the game. A quick check by VAR for a possible offside on Rudiger who was running back out of the penalty area but that was shut down.

GAME ON!

[2 January 2022 17:12 · Dylan Terry]

Chelsea 0-2 Liverpool

41 mins: Havertz draws a free-kick on the right-hand side of the Liverpool penalty area. A chance for Chelsea to salvage something before the break.

Alonso fires it in and it comes back out to Kovacic...

[2 January 2022 17:09 · Dylan Terry]

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.

[2 January 2022 17:07 · Dylan Terry]

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.

[2 January 2022 17:03 · Dylan Terry]

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.

[2 January 2022 17:02 · Dylan Terry]

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.