Liverpool 2-0 Chelsea RECAP: Mo Salah screamer sees Reds leapfrog Man City at top of table

LIVERPOOL 2-0 CHELSEA | MANE (50), SALAH (53)

Liverpool XI: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson, Fabinho, Henderson, Keita, Mane, Firmino, Salah

Chelsea XI: Kepa, Azpilicueta, Rudiger, Luiz, Emerson, Kante, Jorginho, Loftus-Cheek, Willian, Hazard, Hudson-Odoi

City won 3-1 at Crystal Palace earlier on Sunday meaning Liverpool have 85 points with four games to go and City are on 83 with an additional match to play.

After a tight and tactical first half, Liverpool broke through in the 51st minute when Jordan Henderson picked out Sadio Mane at the back post and the Senegalese forward confidently headed home.

Anfield erupted two minutes later when Mohamed Salah scored a sensational second – the Egyptian receiving the ball on the right flank and cutting inside before unleashing an unstoppable drive from 25 metres out into the far, top corner.

Chelsea responded positively, though, with David Luiz picking out Eden Hazard with a ball over the top, the Belgian beating the advancing Alisson Becker only to see his shot bounce out off the post.

Moments later, Becker then had to be alert to keep out a Hazard shot from a Willian cross as Chelsea searched in vain for a way back.

• Maurizio Sarri starts Eden Hazard in False 9 position

• Andy Robertson returns to the side, Matip in for Lovren

• Antonio Rudiger off injured, Andreas Christensen takes his place

• Sadio Mane heads home Jordan Henderson cross

• Mohamed Salah scores sensational second two minutes later

‘That game was amazing’

18:50: Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, speaking to Sky Sports: “It was a really good game, difficult against strong opponents. I thought we dominated in areas. The rhythm was really good. We tried, created, passed and shot – we did pretty much everything.”

On Mo Salah’s sensational goal: “A brilliant goal, world-class. A really, really, good goal from our side. It was a brilliant goal in all departments.”

On Jordan Henderson: “I only know Stevie [Gerrard] as a person – I’ve no idea about his leadership skills. Hendo is a fantastic skipper for this club – I’ve said it from the first day. There was not one part of him that was not important. In the last three games he’s obviously on fire which is good.”

On the title race: “We have to try at least [to win all remaining games]. We respect all opponents so much. We know about Cardiff’s fight against relegation. Today was very, very important because Chelsea are so strong. What we did today to win that game was amazing.”

Inspired

18:48: This was Liverpool’s 26th Premier League victory of the season, equalling their record from the 2013-14 campaign under Brendan Rodgers. They last won more in a top-flight season in 1978-79 (30 wins).

‘We had our chances’

18:45: Chelsea defender David Luiz speaking to Sky Sports: “It’s difficult, we had our chances, they had their chances, they scored and we didn’t. A great game but a bit frustrating.

“It is never easy to play here at Anfield. They have a great team, a great philosophy and a great coach. They are fighting for the title so they are excited about that too. But we had our chances also.”

Meanwhile at The Masters…

18:43: Tiger Woods is now the odds-on favourite to win the 2019 Masters. Francesco Molinari has fallen topics TWICE finding the drink. He’s now has a one-shot lead with three holes left to play. Absolute scenes if Tiger finishes the job.

‘Cardiff will be tough’

18:40: Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk speaking to Sky Sports: “Five years ago didn’t matter today. They were very disappointed back then but today was a very different game. We showed great things during the game and we are very happy with the three points.”

On marking Eden Hazard: “I like to play against the best players in the world and he’s up there. He’s a fantastic player. Chelsea is a fantastic team but we managed to put them under pressure.”

On the title race: “We just focus on our games, we have a massive game next in the Champions League then to Cardiff which will be tough as well. So we will see. I’m always excited, I’m always happy when my team wins, but it can change, for now we just need to enjoy it and we have a big game on Wednesday again.”

‘We are enjoying it’

18:35: Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson on what Jurgen Klopp told the players at half-time: “I can’t tell you that! No, it was ‘keep going’. There were a couple of things we needed to work on and create space for one another.

“There was a period when we blew them away a little bit but they had a couple of chances as well so we need to be careful a little bit.”

On the importance of today’s result in the title race: “It’s really big. It’s another big game we have won. We have to concentrate on ourselves, work hard on training pitch and the focus is on the next game.

“We are enjoying it and that’s the main thing.”

Twitter round-up

Noel: I thought we were brilliant from the outset, always in control. But make no mistake, this is a very poor Chelsea side! Apart from Eden Hazard, they have nothing! Very ordinary, very pedestrian.

Laurence: Deserved win for Liverpool, by far the superior team. Chelsea far too negative and rightly punished. Title race goes on.

Lean: Another great win for Liverpool. Mohamed Salah goal was probably one of best goals I’ve seen by Liverpool this season. Now we move onto our next game.

The run in

18:25: We’ve got to make Liverpool favourites now with these fixtures, right?

Liverpool’s final games: Cardiff (A), Huddersfield (H), Newcastle (A), Wolves (H).

Manchester City’s final games: Tottenham (H), Manchester United (A), Burnley (A), Leicester (H), Brighton (A).

LIVERPOOL 2-0 CHELSEA

FT: Liverpool have beaten Chelsea at Anfield to return to the top of the Premier League.

Eden Hazard and Mohamed Salah have a cheeky chat straight after the final whistle. Laughs and smiles between the pair as Jurgen Klopp hugs everyone in sight!

92: It’s party time inside Anfield now. Songs, chants and a bizarre swinging of scarves. Liverpool are a minute away from reclaiming top position and piling the pressure back on Manchester City.

90: Three minutes added time.

89: Blimey – blast from the past arrival as Xherdan Shaqiri replaces Mohamed Salah for the final few minutes.

88: Chaos! Kepa Arrizabalaga and Andreas Christensen have a moment of madness dealing with a lofted hoof. Kepa eventually takes charge and Sadio Mane nicks it off his toes. The goalkeeper’s blushes are spared when Mane’s touch takes it over the byline.

85: Martin Tyler gets very excited when Andrew Robertson SLIPS to give Chelsea possession. Fortunately it fell to the slowest man in the universe – Gonzalo Higuain.

No Stevie G 2014 repeat here folks.

83: Liverpool are seeing this out in style. They have Chelsea pinned inside their own half and have done for the last 10 minutes.

Mohamed Salah trots over to take another corner with Virgil van Dijk making his way into the box… poor delivery barely gets off the floor.

80: The ball is in the corner with Liverpool – and that’s exactly where they want it. It could have been a very different story had Eden Hazard not struck the post in the 60th-minute – but this SHOULD be a fairly comfortable final ten minutes for Jurgen Klopp’s side.

78: Injury blow for Liverpool with captain Jordan Henderson down injured. Not quite sure what’s wrong with the midfielder but James Milner takes his place.

Gets a good bear hug from Jurgen Klopp. Naturally…

76: Yep, a chorus of boos for Ross Barkley, who replaces Ruben Loftus-Cheek.

75: Maurizio Sarri is preparing his last roll of the dice. And that’ll be to introduce former Everton midfielder Ross Barkley. Wonder what kind of reception he’s going to receive…

73: Frustration setting in for Chelsea as David Luiz barges Roberto Firmino to the floor. Michael Oliver doesn’t book him but Liverpool have a free-kick about 35-yards from goal.

Trent whips it over to Fabinho, and Andreas Christensen manages to get himself in the way.

70: Save! Mohamed Salah cuts in off the right again but his shot is saved at the near post by Kepa. Liverpool really want this third – not sure they actually need it!

68: Jurgen Klopp’s seen enough of this end-to-end craziness. He brings Georginio Wijnaldum on for Naby Keita to try and regain control of the midfield.

65: Meanwhile, Patrick Cantlay takes the lead in The Masters…

64: Maybe it’s Gonzalo Higuain’s introduction, maybe Liverpool are too eager to grab a third – but all of a sudden Chelsea have hit their stride.

Again Eden Hazard finds space in the box but his effort from close-range is saved magnificently by Alisson. Not quite sure how the Blues haven’t scored one.

61: Mohamed Salah’s strike was his first goal from outside the box in the Premier League since January 2018 (v Manchester City).

60: Woodwork! Eden Hazard is clean through on goal with only Alisson to beat. Everyone’s expecting the net to ripple but he slams it off the post. Unbelievable.

57: Callum Hudson-Odoi heads off with Gonzalo Higuain replacing him. I suspect that’s Maurizio Sarri admitting he messed up with this false 9 decision.

55: Chelsea are seriously on the ropes now. Liverpool look like scoring every time their push forward.

Chelsea on the road vs the big six this season: 13 goals conceded (and counting), one scored.

LIVERPOOL 2-0 CHELSEA | SALAH

52: Wow. Just wow.

Mohamed Salah has just struck an absolute thunder-bang of a goal to double Liverpool’s lead and surely bag all three points.

The Egyptian smashes the ball from 25-yards out into the top left corner past the outstretched Kepa Arrizabalaga. Candidate for Goal of the Season. No doubt.

LIVERPOOL 1-0 CHELSEA | MANE

50: Sadio Mane breaks the deadlock and Anfield goes absolutely ballistic!

Jordan Henderson floats the ball across the six-yard box for an easy nod home for Sadio Mane, who bags his 21st goal of the campaign.

Liverpool leapfrog Manchester City into top position.

49: Chelsea have dropped deeper and deeper as Liverpool continue to press. Roberto Firmino attempts a crafty backheel inside the box but Mohamed Salah can’t collect.

46: Liverpool straight on the front-foot in this second half. After some patient approach play Trent AA decides to blast from distance and hits a wall of blue shirts.

LIVERPOOL 0-0 CHELSEA

45: And we’re back underway at Anfield.

James Milner did an intense warm up during the break but he’s not been introduced yet. I imagine we’ll see him on at some point.

LIVERPOOL 0-0 CHELSEA

HT: Balanced. It’s very finely balanced here at Anfield. Both sides having given everything but the killer final ball alludes them both.

Mohamed Salah had the best chance of the half in the opening 10 minutes but blasted straight at Kepa Arrizabalaga. Everything rests on the next 45 minutes of football.

46: Save! Trent Alexander-Arnold sends a wicked, skiddy delivery in from the left flank and Kepa makes an impressive relax save from point-blank range to deny the lunging Joel Matip.

Oh, it was offside. As you were.

45: Booked! Cesar Azpilicueta shown a yellow card for dragging Sadio Mane down. Could be in trouble in the second half with that pace to deal with.

44: “Operation Anfield,“ is trending in the UK. Says a fair bit about this game so far. Lots of huff and puff but no quality in the final third.

42: Antonio Rudiger is down again. Another challenge looks to have disturbed the earlier injury. Andreas Christensen takes his place.

40: Close! Salah plays a cute inside pass to Sadio Mane, who thwacks it first-time past the post. The winger has his head in his hands – he knew how good that opportunity was.

38: Andrew Robertson caught in possession by Cesar Azpilicueta, who immediately finds Eden Hazard. The Belgian has four to beat and absolutely no support. Fabinho gets back to make the tackle. Perils of being a false nine, eh?

35: Chelsea enjoying a good period of pressure. Willian cuts the ball back for the arriving Ruben Loftus-Cheek, but Jordan Henderson and Fabinho are there to block the midfielder.

33: It’s Willian… still Willian… Willian shoots… miles wide of the target. Good solo run from the Brazilian who runs out of steam having covered 40 yards.

The shot was dreadful but Jurgen Klopp will be worried how easily Chelsea are breaking forward.

30: I’m surprised anyone has any energy left after this opening half-hour. Absolutely breathless stuff at Anfield.

28: You can’t beat a good ‘Operation Anfield Exercise.’ Whoever is in charge of the tannoy system has repeated it three times in the last five minutes.

Fabinho finds Mohamed Salah with a brilliant ball and the Egyptian heads it down for Jordan Henderson. His volley is deflected behind for a corner, which is cleared.

26: Rudiger is back on the field now. Must have been a clash of knees. Anyway. Jordan Henderson’s ball to Sadio Mane is flicked on first-time but it’s too far in front of Roberto Firmino.

A Chelsea counter is then foiled by Virgil van Dijk, who is there to nod it back to Alisson.

23: There’s that Eden Hazard false nine threat. The Belgian skips past Joel Matip before reaching the byline. Hazard twists inside but his shot is rather tame and Alisson gathers.

Lengthy pause in play here with Antonio Rudiger down clutching his knee. Looked an innocent coming together with Sadio Mane but clearly something was twisted.

21: Save! Naby Keita collects a sweeping crossfield pass from Trent Alexander-Arnold before cutting inside and firing low at Kepa.

20: Chelsea causing their own problems – but still look a threat going forward. Callum Hudson-Odoi is hugging the touchline waiting for his moment to spring.

18: Penalty appeal! Mohamed Salah skips past Willian with ease before David Luiz arrives to stop him in his tracks. The Chelsea defender made minimal contact and referee Michael Oliver awards the goal kick. Could have been a booking for Salah on another day.

15: Good vision from Mohamed Salah to pick out Sadio Mane bounding through the middle. Kepa just beats him to the ball but extremely positive signs for the hosts. Chelsea simply can’t keep possession!

13: Boos for Eden Hazard as he gets to his feet. Not sure why really. Anyway, thematic sponge has done its job and the Belgian is back up and running.

10: Fabinho sets the Anfield crowd alight (not literally) with a great tackle on Eden Hazard, who had plenty of space to attack. Worrying signs for Chelsea as the Belgian international stays on the deck.

8: Chance! Cesar Azpilicueta loses track of Sadio Mane down the left channel. The winger crosses for the unmarked Mohamed Salah, who fires a volley straight at Kepa.

5: Liverpool continue to dominate the ball in Chelsea territory. Obviously way too early to say – but Eden Hazard looks a little isolated in attack.

3: Liverpool have Chelsea pinned inside their own half for the opening three minutes. Kepa looks to be feeling the pressure when catching a cross before lobbing it straight out of play.

Interesting to see tons of Game of Thrones trailers on the electronic advertising boards around the pitch. I guess some parallels can be drawn, right?

LIVERPOOL 0-0 CHELSEA

1: After another of those famous spine-tingling renditions of YNWA – we’re underway at Anfield. Standby for absolute mayhem!

Hillsborough

16:29: A perfectly observed minute’s silence to mark the 30th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster prior to the game.

Here they come!

16:26: The players have just emerged from the tunnel folks. The atmosphere is pretty incredible at Anfield today – everyone knows just how big today’s result could be!

Chelsea fans join Liverpool fans in applause in memory of Tommy Smith.

Really?!

16:23: Sky Sports have just released a stat saying that NO player has managed to dribble the ball past Virgil van Dijk in over a year! Is that true?! Crazy stuff.

Eden Hazard knows his task today than…

Twitter round-up

Steve: Sarri has no idea. Again we are playing without a striker. Did it work earlier in the season? NOOOOO! that why he absolutely had to have Higuain? So Hazard against Van Dijk, more passing around the box with the ball and no threat. HOPE I’m wrong!

Amrul: Sarri is doing an LVG. Like how Van Gaal gave opportunity to Rashford he is now reluctantly using Hudson-Odoi and Loftus-Cheek. Maybe it would have been sensible to give these guys more gamed before throwing them into Anfield starts.

Ash: Everyone talks about the Chelsea game 5 years ago but that wasn’t the one where Liverpool lost it. It was when Rodgers went hung ho v Palace trying to make up the goal difference.

Unfinished business…

16:19: Jordan Henderson has unfinished business with Chelsea as the 2014 defeat to Jose Mourinho’s side which sank their Premier League title bid still hurts.

The suspended England midfielder could only watch helplessly from the stand as the top-of-the-table Reds’ 2-0 reverse at Anfield ended an 11-match winning run and handed the initiative to eventual champions Manchester City.

“It was hard to watch. It was a tough time to miss those games at a crucial time. Chelsea went to do a job and they did it well,” said Henderson. “I was on edge big time.

“For me it’s just another thing I’ve used to keep going and channel all my energy into keep winning games and being successful for Liverpool.”

False 9…

16:15: Now what do we think about Chelsea’s Eden Hazard being deployed in the false 9 role?

Given he was virtually unplayable against West Ham on Monday and has struggled in this position before – this is bordering irresponsible right?

Crystal Palace 1-3 Manchester City

16:12: I assume you’ve already seen the result at Selhurst Park, but I’m contractually obliged to tell you what happened. Not really but I fancy doing it anyway.

Raheem Sterling’s double kept Manchester City’s bid to retain their Premier League crown on track as they sank Crystal Palace 3-1.

Sterling took his goal tally for the season to 21 and Gabriel Jesus chipped in with the third as dominant City passed the latest test of their title credentials.

Team News

16:10: Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has opted for a more adventurous midfield at home to Chelsea.

In the past, he has used the tried-and-tested Georginio Wijnaldum, Jordan Henderson and James Milner combination for big matches.

However, the form of Naby Keita, with two goals in his last two appearances, persuaded the Reds boss to only make changes in defence where Andy Robertson replaced Milner at left-back, after serving a Champions League suspension in midweek, and Joel Matip came in for Dejan Lovren in the centre.

It meant Klopp went with the more creative trio of Fabinho, Henderson and Keita in midfield.

Eden Hazard, who was rested for Chelsea’s Europa League win on Thursday, was deployed as a false nine with Callum Hudson-Odoi and Ruben Loftus-Cheek also coming into the side.

The line-ups

16:05: Bold strategy from Maurizio Sarri – who starts with Eden Hazard in the false 9 role. Calum Hudson-Odoi and Willian also start with Ruben Loftus-Cheek in behind.

Liverpool XI: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson, Fabinho, Henderson, Keita, Mane, Firmino, Salah.

Subs: Mignolet, Wijnaldum, Lovren, Milner, Sturridge, Shaqiri, Origi.

Chelsea XI: Kepa, Azpilicueta, Rudiger, Luiz, Emerson, Kante, Jorginho, Loftus-Cheek, Willian, Hazard, Hudson-Odoi.

Subs: Caballero, Barkley, Higuain, Pedro, Kovacic, Giroud, Christensen.

Afternoon…

16:00: Hello everyone and welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Premier League.

We’re at Anfield today for what could easily be the title-defining fixture for Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool.

Now where have I heard that before?

Ah yes, 2014. Today’s visit of Chelsea, almost exactly five years since Jose Mourinho’s team derailed the Reds’ title bid with a 2-0 win at Anfield, has resulted in parallels being drawn with the last time the Merseysiders were in contention for the Premier League.

But this is a new year, side and manager. Can Liverpool heap the pressure on Manchester City? We’ll find out shortly.

LIVERPOOL vs CHELSEA

Liverpool left-back Andy Robertson will return to the side having been suspended for the midweek Champions League win over Porto. That means James Milner, the Scotland captain’s stand-in on Tuesday, is available for a midfield role – giving manager Jurgen Klopp a selection dilemma as Naby Keita and Jordan Henderson have both performed well in the last two matches. Fellow midfielder Adam Lallana is expected to return to the squad after missing the last two games with a muscle injury.

Chelsea will assess Callum Hudson-Odoi before opting whether to field the England teenager. Hudson-Odoi sat out Thursday’s 1-0 Europa League win at Slavia Prague with Maurizio Sarri insisting he needed to rest.

Last season: Chelsea 1 Liverpool 0, Liverpool 1 Chelsea 1

Last five league matches: Liverpool D W W W W; Chelsea D L W W W

Top scorers (all competitions): Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) 21; Eden Hazard (Chelsea) 19

Referee: Michael Oliver (Northumberland)