Liverpool Beat Chelsea 2-1 To Maintain Top Spot
Liverpool returned to the top of the Premier League with victory over Chelsea at Anfield as manager Arne Slot’s outstanding start continued.
The Dutchman is the first Liverpool boss to win 10 of his first 11 games, this latest triumph sending them a point clear of Manchester City following their dramatic stoppage-time victory at Wolves earlier.
Mohamed Salah put Liverpool ahead from the spot after 29 minutes following Levi Colwill’s foul on Curtis Jones, though a second penalty awarded on the stroke of half-time for Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez’s block on the same player was overturned by the video assistant referee (VAR) after initially being awarded by referee John Brooks.
Chelsea took advantage of that VAR reprieve to equalise three minutes after the break, Nicolas Jackson racing clear to score, the goal awarded after being ruled out for offside.
Liverpool took only three minutes to restore their lead, Jones stealing in at the far post to steer Salah’s cross past a hesitant Sanchez in front of a joyous Kop.
It mean Slot’s only loss since succeeding Jurgen Klopp was to Nottingham Forest at Anfield in September, while this was Chelsea’s first league defeat under new manager Enzo Maresca since the opening-weekend home reverse against Manchester City.
Liverpool are a more ordered side under Slot, more measured than the all-out ‘heavy metal’ football of his illustrious predecessor Klopp who swept up silverware before leaving Anfield at the end of last season.
What has not changed is the success, with what has been regarded as a good start tempered by cautious messaging about the standard of opposition beaten – now rebadged as an excellent one after victory over an improving Chelsea side.
This win was workmanlike, but another three points is what mattered, especially as Manchester City applied pressure after the theatre and controversy of their last-gasp win at Wolves.
Salah had one of his quieter games, yet set Liverpool on their way from spot and carved out a brilliant assist for Curtis Jones’ winner.
It was a goal Jones deserved for a lively performance, which earned one penalty and only had another denied by VAR.
Liverpool survived a couple of anxious moments near the end, and an early injury which meant Diogo Jota was replaced by Darwin Nunez provided the one cloud, but this result and performance is the perfect platform for next Sunday’s visit to Premier League title rivals Arsenal.
