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.
Chelsea vs Liverpool (KO 4.30pm)
The teams are out on the pitch as Stamford Bridge erupts.
We are moments away from kick-off here as second host third in the Premier League!
Chelsea vs Liverpool (KO 4.30pm)
Liverpool have not lost consecutive away Premier League games in nearly four years.
They were beaten by Leicester City at the King Power Stadium last time out. Is an impressive streak set to end at Stamford Bridge this afternoon?
Chelsea vs Liverpool (KO 4.30pm)
Who will lead the line for Chelsea? Will it be Kai Havertz or Christian Pulisic?
Either way, they have big shoes to fill because we know it won’t be, well, he who shan’t be named.
Salah to steal the show again?
Mo Salah has scored the most goals and laid on the most assists of any Premier League player so far this season.
The Egyptian has been the standout player in England’s top flight in the 2021-22 campaign an perhaps in the whole of Europe.
Will we see a 16th Premier League goal of the season today? Or perhaps a 10th assist?
Chelsea vs Liverpool (KO 4.30pm)
One last look at the starting line-ups then.
Chelsea: Mendy, Chalobah, Silva, Rudiger; Azpilicueta, Kante, Kovacic, Alonso; Mount, Havertz, Pulisic.
Liverpool: Kelleher, Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Fabinho, Henderson, Milner; Mane, Salah, Jota.
Chelsea vs Liverpool (KO 4.30pm)
We are just 15 minutes away from the biggest Premier League match of 2022.
Ok, ok, I know. It may only be 2 January but this really is a crunch clash between two of the best in Europe.
The loser can count themselves out of the title race. The winner can keep their slim hopes of catching Manchester City alive.
Final predictions?
‘We don’t come with excuses'
Liverpool assistant Pep Lijnders insists there will be no excuses despite Jurgen Klopp being absent for today’s game due to a positive Covid test.
Lijnders said: “Jurgen has just mild symptoms, that’s a positive, but Jurgen is Jurgen, he gives positive vibes, his full support, his energy from home.
“He is also a top manager, so the team and staff are prepared and the well-drilled. The moment these top managers step away, hopefully the team can still perform. Jurgen gives a lot of responsibility and freedom, and his full support.
“We don’t come here with excuses, we come here to attack this game, we come with hunger and with the idea to create a final. We are not a team of excuses, whoever is missing, we want to make this a special game with the group we have.”
Focus easier without Lukaku, says Tuchel
Thomas Tuchel believes it is easier to focus by leaving Romelu Lukaku out for today’s game.
Speaking on Sky Sports, he said: “The thing got too big, too noisy, so close to the match, so I decided to protect the preparation for the match, so that is why he is out. Of course we have spoken, twice to the main players, but after that we had to realise it was too close to the match, it’s too big.
"We delayed the decision over what to do, but while are delaying we have to protect the preparation for the match, we have a big game to play.
“Full focus, which is had to get even without this decision, was easier in my opinion if he is not in the squad, and that is why we did it. It was a difficult decision, but in my opinion it was the decision to take.”
Chelsea vs Liverpool (KO 4.30pm)
Big afternoon for this man. Kelleher is in for Alisson due to a suspected positive Covid test for the Brazilian. He will be hoping to keep a memorable clean sheet at Stamford Bridge.
Firmino and Matip also out with suspected positives.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments