Tright here was little question as to who the dominant facet have been at Anfield on Wednesday night time as Liverpool ran rampant in a 4-1 victory over Chelsea.
The end result sees the Reds preserve their five-point benefit atop the Premier League desk, and sends a transparent message to Manchester Metropolis, who defeated Burnley earlier within the night, about their title credentials.
Liverpool have been excellent for a lot of the competition, and have been considerably flattered by their 2-0 benefit at half-time. Though Chelsea’s lone purpose made it 3-1 after Dominik Szoboszlai netted Liverpool’s third, Luis Diaz dashed hopes of a possible comeback by scoring the fourth with just below 10 minutes remaining.
Liverpool run rampant within the first half
The primary change, of what proved to be many, went Liverpool’s means. Darwin Nunez fired a long-range strike that regarded destined for purpose, however Djordje Petrovic’s managed to tip the ball on to the crossbar, with the ensuing nook coming to nothing.
Petrovic denied Nunez once more with a superb left hand save quickly after because the Reds continued to dominate proceedings, and it wasn’t lengthy till they opened the scoring.
Diogo Jota discovered some area between two Chelsea defenders, and after a considerably fortuitous bounce, he slotted residence to the delight of the house followers.
Liverpool continued its siege on the Chelsea purpose, with Petrovic stopping Curtis Jones’ shot from going into the underside nook, whereas Nunez despatched one other effort broad of the mark. The Serbian goalkeeper might do nothing to disclaim Conor Bradley, as he received away from Raheem Sterling earlier than firing into the underside nook for his first purpose Liverpool purpose.
It ought to have been 3-0 earlier than the tip of the primary half when Benoit Badiashile stood on Diogo Jota’s foot within the field. Initially it appeared Alexis Mac Allister would take the penalty, and the Reds seemingly want he did, as Nunez despatched his strike off the put up.
Chelsea unable to reopen proceedings
Mauricio Pochettino made a trio of subs at half-time, introducing Nkunku, Mudryk and Gusto for Gallagher, Chilwell and Madueke in hopes of injecting some life into his flat Chelsea facet.
It considerably labored, as Mudryk discovered himself unmarked within the field, however he fired excessive of the purpose in what was Chelsea’s greatest likelihood as much as that time.
Nevertheless, it proved to be a false daybreak as Liverpool as soon as once more seized management of the match. In actual fact, all of them however put it away within the sixty fifth minute when Szoboszlai headed residence Bradley’s cross.
Chelsea left the door open for a doable comeback when Nkunku beat two Liverpool defenders and slotted residence within the 71st minute.
Nevertheless, their slim hopes remained that after a second penalty shout, this time for Van Dijk clipping Nkunku, went unanswered, whereas Nunez discovered time to hit the woodwork for the fourth time by sending his header off the bar from shut vary.
In actual fact, Liverpool even managed to attain a fourth, Nunez’s cross discovering Luis Diaz who slid the ball residence from shut vary.
