In a Premier League clash between two teams with completely opposite levels of motivation, Chelsea played host to Liverpool on Sunday and took advantage of the situation, booking potentially crucial three points in their bid for Champions League qualification.
Less than three minutes in, Enzo Fernandez rounded off a nice attack to break the deadlock, and a rather unfortunate own-goal from Jarell Quansah doubled the Blues’ lead in the 56th minute. Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk reduced his team’s deficit five minutes before time, but Quansah added another moment to his miserable day at the office by conceding a late penalty, which Cole Palmer converted as the second-half stoppage time expired.
Teams
Left with no ground to lose if they intend to finish inside the top five, Chelsea went into this contest with their arguably strongest possible lineup. Manager Enzo Maresca still had to make do without five players – the quartet of injury absentees consisted of defender Wesley Fofana, midfielder Omari Kellyman, as well as forwards Christopher Nkunku and Marc Guiu.
Robert Sanchez returned to the goal. Moises Caicedo started on the right defensive flank with Reece James and Malo Gusto fit only for the bench, with Marc Cucurella on the left, and the centre-back duo of Levi Colwill and Trevoh Chalobah completing the back four. Romeo Lavia and Enzo Fernandez paired up in the middle of the park, allowing Cole Palmer to roam with more freedom further up. In attack, striker Nicolas Jackson had the of Pedro Neto and Noni Madueke from out wide.
As for Liverpool, it was no surprise to see coach Arne Slot wringing some changes after his team secured the Premier League title last week. Long-term absentees Joe Gomez and Tyler Morton still, however, haven’t recovered from their respective injuries.
Goalkeeper Alisson Becker, centre-back Virgil van Dijk and right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold retained their places in the team, but Quansah was given a chance ahead of Ibrahima Konate, as was left-back Kostas Tsimikas ahead of Andy Robertson. The midfield looked completely different, with Wataru Endo, Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott all in the lineup. Cody Gakpo, Diogo Jota and Mohamed Salah formed the attacking line.
Brief recap
The game began with Chelsea asserting dominance early on. In the third minute, Enzo Fernández capitalized on a swift counterattack, finishing a move initiated by Roméo Lavia and Pedro Neto to give the Blues an early lead.
Throughout the first half, Chelsea maintained pressure, creating several opportunities but failing to extend their lead. Liverpool, despite enjoying 65% possession, struggled to penetrate Chelsea’s organized defence and lacked the intensity typically associated with their play.
The second half saw Chelsea doubling their advantage in the 56th minute. A defensive miscommunication led to Quansah inadvertently directing the ball into his own net, following a deflected clearance from Van Dijk.
Liverpool managed to pull one back in the 85th minute when Van Dijk headed in a corner, providing a glimmer of hope for the visitors as Chelsea displayed a lack of focus in their own box for the first time.
However, even though the goal reignited Liverpool’s hopes and spurred them on in search of a late equalizer, Chelsea sealed the victory deep in stoppage time. Caicedo was fouled in the box, caught by the unlucky Quansah, resulting in a penalty that Cole Palmer confidently converted, ending his 18-match goal drought and putting the hosts’ victory beyond any doubt.
Chelsea fully in the race
Chelsea’s victory in this game was fully deserved, which will have come as no surprise in the current circumstances. But even with Liverpool’s rotated lineup and lack of practical motivation taken into , it shows that the Blues are truly making progress under Maresca’s guidance.
These three points have taken Chelsea’s tally to a total of 63, which has them in fifth place, behind fourth-placed Newcastle on goal difference, behind third-placed Manchester City by a point, and behind Arsenal in second by four. They also need to keep an eye on the teams behind, with Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa on 60, and Forest having a game in hand as well.
The remaining three rounds of the campaign promise an intriguing finish. Having secured the title, Liverpool will, of course, be playing in the Champions League next season, but the rest of the places warranting spots in UEFA’s elite competitions are all up for grabs; not even Arsenal are safe.
Chelsea obviously got the maximum out of their clash with Liverpool, but the next task will be gargantuan as they travel to the north-east of England to face Newcastle.
As for Liverpool, their hangover after the celebrations of last week is quite understandable, as is Slot’s decision to give some fringe players a chance to boost their minutes tally for the season. Unlike the notorious defeat they suffered at the hands of this same opponent in 2014, when the infamous slip by club icon Steven Gerrard occurred, this one didn’t hurt a bit.
Had things panned out differently over the last month, Liverpool’s meeting with Arsenal at Anfield next week would’ve probably been the game of the season in the English top flight. As it is, and with the Gunners facing the task of trying to overturn a one-goal deficit against Paris Saint-Germain in in a few days, it remains to be seen what kind of strength either side will manage to muster.
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