Liverpool vs Chelsea LIVE: Premier League result and final score after Diaz goal and Nkunku penalty appeal
Liverpool 4-1 Chelsea: Jurgen Klopp’s side went five points clear with a dominant display at Anfield
Liverpool put Chelsea to the sword at Anfield as Jurgen Klopp saw his side move five points clear at the top of the Premier League table with a thumping win over the Blues.
Liverpool made a fast start as Darwin Nunez hit the crossbar and saw a shot tipped onto the post by Chelsea goalkeeper Dorde Petrovic, but the hosts were perhaps fortunate not to concede a penalty when Conor Gallagher was clipped by Virgil van Dijk in the box.
Diogo Jota then powered through the Chelsea defence to fire Liverpool ahead, before Conor Bradley produced a stunning finish to double their lead with his first goal for the club. It could have been three at half-time had Nunez then converted a penalty, but the striker hit the post again.
Mauricio Pochettino made a triple change at the break but despite a brief improvement, Liverpool made it three as Bradley set up Dominik Szoboszlai’s header in front of the Kop. Christopher Nkunku pulled one back with his first Chelsea goal, and then could have had a penalty when Van Dijk clipped him from behind.
But Luiz Diaz then added a fourth and Klopp could afford to make changes ahead of Sunday’s trip to third-place Arsenal. Follow all the action from Anfield below plus get the latest odds and tips right here:
Pochettino on Sterling’s impact at Chelsea
Chelsea’s Raheem Sterling returns to Liverpool this evening and will be hoping to pull one over his old club as the Blues look to improve their position in the the Premier League.
Mauricio Pochettino was full of praise for the forward and claims that Sterling is performing really well this season.
“It’s always difficult to be at the top, as one of the best offensive players in the Premier League,” said Pochettino. “He deserves full credit, he’s really professional and I think this season he’s doing really well for us.
“Now he’s improving in his physical condition. When we arrived he struggled a little bit in some points but now he’s improving a lot and he’s doing really well. We are so happy with him in the way that he’s performing. He’s helping the team to perform and to win games.
“Maybe he’s one of the most consistent players, but I don’t want to jinx it. He’s consistent and he’s always available which is a very good thing for us.”
It’s impossible to replace Jurgen Klopp – so here’s what Liverpool must do
As Jurgen Klopp’s long goodbye begins, many of Liverpool’s rivals have wasted no time in trying to take advantage. Overtures have been made to representatives of key players. Some prospective employers have even tried to sound out Klopp himself.
It all fosters an uncertainty as the German tries to get this new team to focus on one big last push under him - but it’s nothing like what’s to come. Liverpool are about to go through as uncertain a period as a club can possibly have, other than having their financial future threatened.
Wednesday’s opponents, Chelsea, would be able to tell them about that but there could well be other lessons from the London club’s recent history. Much of it, admittedly, might be about what not to do with prospective coaches.
It’s impossible to replace Jurgen Klopp – so here’s what Liverpool must do
No manager in the world can possibly come close to being the type of figurehead Klopp is at Anfield, so Liverpool’s best solution is to lessen the importance of a manager, writes Miguel Delaney
Liverpool vs Chelsea prediction
Chelsea have seemingly turned a positive corner under Mauricio Pochettino who is starting to implant his methodology on the team. They’re positive, quick and unafraid to take the attack to the opposition.
That said, the Blues haven’t beaten a top side since, arguably, Tottenham in November so it will a difficult test against a high flying Liverpool away from home.
The Reds will want to perform for departing manager Jurgen Klopp and, in front of their home support, should have enough quality to sweep Chelsea aside.
Liverpool 3-1 Chelsea
Liverpool vs Chelsea team news and predicted line-ups
Liverpool were boosted by the return to action of both Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson in their FA Cup win against Nortwich, and the pair could contend to start here. Alexis Mac Allister should also be fit to feature after being rested in that game, but Mohamed Salah remains absent even after Egypt’s Afcon exit due to a hamstring injury.
Levi Colwill is a doubt for Chelsea after missing training on Monday having reported tightness in his hamstring ahead of the FA Cup game against Aston Villa. Ben Chilwell may well make a first Premier League start since September at left-back, while Christopher Nkunku and Trevoh Chalobah could make the bench.
Predicted line-ups
Liverpool XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Gomez; Jones, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Diaz, Nunez, Jota.
Chelsea XI: Petrovic; Disasi, Silva, Badiashile, Chilwell; Caicedo, Fernandez, Gallagher; Palmer, Broja, Sterling.
How to watch Liverpool vs Chelsea
Liverpool vs Chelsea is due to kick off at 8.15pm GMT on Wednesday 31 January at Anfield.
Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on TNT Sports 1, with coverage on the channel from 7pm GMT. Subscribers can stream the action via discovery+.
If you’re travelling abroad and want to watch major sporting events, you might need a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN round-up is here to help and includes deals on VPNs in the market. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are, and also with the terms of their service provider.
Liverpool vs Chelsea
Good evening and welcome to The Independent’s coverage of tonight’s Premier League action as Liverpool host Chelsea.
Tonight’s encounter is the first league match at Anfield since Jurgen Klopp announced that he would be leaving his position as manager at the end of the season and the atmosphere will certainly be one of celebration for the German.
Liverpool are hoping to extend their lead at the top of the table while Chelsea look to continue their recent form and secure a victory against the league leaders.
We’ll have all the action, team news and latest updates throughout the evening so stick with us as we build up to kick off at 8.15pm.
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