Liverpool defeated Chelsea and continued to lead the league.
Liverpool won 2-1 in the eighth round of the English Premier League (EPL) in the 2024-2025 season against Chelsea at Anfield in Liverpool, England on the 21st (Korea time). With this victory, Liverpool continued their lead single-handedly. Chelsea did not earn a point, leaving them one point behind Tottenham in seventh place.
Liverpool started Cody Gakpo, Dominique Sobosleri, Mohamed Salah, Curtis Jones, Ryan Hravernberg, Andy Robertson, Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, Trent Alexander Arnold and Quibin Kelleher with Diogo Jota at the forefront.
Chelsea, on the road, started Jadon Sancho, Cole Palmer, Noni Madueke, Romero Rabia, Moises Caicedo, Marlo Gusto, Levi Colwill, Tosin Adarabioyo, Reece James and Robert Sanchez with Nicola Jackson at the forefront. This is the first game of the season for Chelsea captain James.
Chelsea are in danger early in the game. Liverpool was aiming for a momentary counterattack using the steering. Tosin blocked Jota for foul play. The exit could have been made because it was a decisive chance, but the referee finished with a warning.
Chelsea took the lead and ran the game, but they did not clearly target Liverpool's tight defense. In the 19th minute of the first half, Sanchez almost lost a point by dedicating the ball to Gakpo during the build-up process, but luck followed.
Chelsea created a scoring opportunity in the 24th minute. In the 24th minute of the first half, a good forward pass was put into Madueke. Madueke saved it and gave it to Palmer, and Palmer continued to shoot, but Liverpool blocked it with a hand-to-hand defense.
Liverpool got a chance to tilt the balance of the match in the 26th minute of the first half. In the penalty box, Colwill committed a foul on Johnson and a penalty was declared. Salah appeared as a kicker and finished strongly. After Salah scored, Jota was replaced by Darwin Núñez due to injury.
Chelsea shook sharply after losing a point. In the 32nd minute of the first half, Chelsea lost a point to Gakpo as their defense was quickly penetrated. However, the location of each gun was offside.
Another penalty was declared amid Liverpool's successive missed chances to score. When Jones had a chance to score in the extra time of the first half, Sanchez ran and blocked it. When Jones fell, the referee declared a penalty. However, after an on-field review, the decision was reversed.
Palmer's shot, which came out just before the end of the first half, slightly crossed the net. Liverpool finished the first half with a smile.
Chelsea took out Sancho at the start of the second half and put in Pedro Netu. In the third minute of the second half, Jackson also broke through Caicedo. He scored but was declared offside. However, after VAR reading, the score was recognized onside.
But Liverpool immediately ran away again. Salah stabbed superbly from the right, and Jones pushed it with a shot with a momentary movement.
When Chelsea gave the lead, they put in Benoit Badiashl, Henatou Beiga and Enzo Fernandez without James, Rabia and Tosin.
Liverpool are starting to get more on the flow. In the 15th minute of the second half, Salah created an opportunity for Gakpo with the opposite conversion. Gakpo's bold shot headed over the net.
Chelsea have created a scoring opportunity for the first time in a long time. Netu's bold breakthrough in the 25th minute of the second half cracked Liverpool's defense. Palmer, who was in the penalty box, tried to shoot but was blocked by the hand-to-hand defense.
Gousto's second shot was also far from a goal.
Chelsea tried to bring even one point by adding Christopher Nkunku, but it seemed to be losing strength.
In the second half of the match, Chelsea aimed for a set piece. Palmer's sharp free-kick headed Bey to his head but the header went off. Another decisive chance came out. Netu crossed in front of the net. Nkunku ran to the end and tried to shoot, but he couldn't reach his feet.
Liverpool won seven consecutive games as Chelsea failed to fight back.
rlaeotlr2024@sportschosun.com
