![Liverpool’s Sadio Mane [left] celebrates scoring.](https://media.guim.co.uk/03356fdbe9d48f078275f2174aa3f3ed514bd166/0_68_4530_2720/1000.jpg)
Barney Ronay points out the Liverpool front three are good.
A tough day for the Chelsea goalkeeper.
Here’s Sadio Mane
“It was a tough game, especially the first half. The red card made it easier and in the second half we created many chances. When [Christensen] fouled me I knew it would be a red card. [For the second goal] I knew that [Kepa] he might not have many passing options, so I got in front for him. Luckily for me he made a mistake, it was unlucky for him.”
“Evening Rob,” says Stephen Carr. “If the phrase ‘yawning chasm’ didn’t exist, that game would necessitate its invention.”
It was brutal. In hindsight, that match came far too early for Chelsea. They would want to play Liverpool after two or three months when all their new signings have started to settle in.
Full time: Chelsea 0-2 Liverpool
Peep peep! A very good day’s work for Liverpool, who put Chelsea in their place with a performance of intimidating authority. Chelsea were reduced to 10 men just before half-time when Andreas Christensen was sent off, though Liverpool were well on top even at that stage. Sadio Mane scored both goals shortly after half-time, the second after a bad mistake from Kepa, and then Alisson saved Jorginho’s penalty.
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90+3 min Kepa makes another save, this time blocking Salah’s close-range shot, and Wijnaldum can’t react quickly enough to put the rebound into the net.
90+2 min Mane’s deflected long-range strike forces a good, sprawling save from Kepa.
90+1 min Three minutes of added time.
90 min Robertson has a shot blocked by James. Both teams look ready to go home.
87 min Salah flips a beautiful pass over the defence to van Dijk, still up from a corner. He chests the ball down but Kepa comes from his line to claim.
86 min Takumi Minamino comes on for the last few minutes in place of Roberto Firmino.
84 min: Good save from Alisson! Werner played a nice pass down the inside-left channel to release Abraham. He moved infield, opened his body up and curled a good effort towards the far corner. Alisson got down smartly to his left to push it away.
82 min Robertson’s corner is headed away to Thiago, who shoots a few yards wide from distance.
79 min A double change for Chelsea. Ross Barkley and Tammy Abraham replace Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic.
79 min Salah runs over the ball and drags it across to Alexander-Arnold, who curls it a few yards wide of the far post.
78 min Tomori fouls Firmino 22 yards from goal. It’s slightly to the left of centre, perfect for Alexander-Arnold. Salah also wants it.
ALISSON SAVES JORGINHO'S PENALTY!
75 min Oh, Chelsea. It was a tame penalty from Jorginho, who relies on the keeper going the wrong way. Alisson didn’t: he dived low to his left and pushed it away.
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74 min It was a needless challenge from Thiago. He tried to pull out but it was too late and he brushed Werner’s ankle. As he was running at speed, that was enough to knock him over.
73 min: PENALTY TO CHELSEA! Werner has been fouled by Thiago just inside the area.
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70 min It’s been a very nice introduction for Thiago, who has had plenty of time to play little give-and-gos and spread the play.
68 min A rare Chelsea attack almost leads to a goal. After some patient passing, Mount whips a dipping shot from 25 yards that brushes the roof of the net. That was a lovely effort.
66 min Wijnaldum’s fierce low shot is saved with his feet by Kepa. The authority of this Liverpool performance has been quite something; they’ve taken a potential challenger to the cleaners.
64 min James Milner, who first played Premier League football in 2002, replaces Naby Keita.
63 min “It’s an awful mistake from Kepa but the defender (not sure who) didn’t give him an angle for the pass at all,” says Niall Mullen. “If you’re told to play out from the back but your defenders are not moving to give you passes you’re on a hiding to nothing.”
Row X though, Niall, row X. Nobody’s ever scored from there, ever.
61 min Salah’s shot hits Tomori and bounces behind for a corner. Robertson’s inswinger is headed behind for another by Jorginho. Alexander-Arnold’s deep corner is claimed by Kepa.
60 min It has turned into a training session, Liverpool attack versus Chelsea defence. The worry now for Chelsea is that they could be humiliated.
59 min “Hi Rob,” says Peter Oh. “Lampard and Chelsea have got the money but Liverpool have got the Mané!”
I can’t be the only one hearing a Pavement song now.
57 min John Beck’s Cambridge never conceded a goal like that. It’s an immutable law of football that you can’t score from Row X.
Tomori played the ball back to Kepa, who put his studs on it and then tried to pass to Jorginho on the edge of the area. It was blocked by the stretching Mane - who had chased the play in anger after losing it himself - and he tapped the loose ball into the net from a few yards. It was an awful mistake from Kepa but, as Gary Neville says on Sky, it’s another demonstration of Mane and Liverpool’s extraordinary work-rate. They are everything you could want in a football team.
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GOAL! Chelsea 0-2 Liverpool (Mane 54)
A shocking mistake from Kepa gives Mane his second!
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53 min There are mitigating circumstances, it’s true, but this is turning into an unpleasant reality check for Chelsea.
That was a lovely one-touch move. Firmino, on the right, played a one-two with Salah and stood up a first-time cross into the middle. Mane got in front of James, strained his neck muscles and steered a header into the corner.
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GOAL! Chelsea 0-1 Liverpool (Mane 50)
Liverpool’s front three combine for a superb goal!
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49 min James fouls Mane just outside the area on the left. It’s a very tight angle but Alexander-Arnold might have a shot here. He doesn’t and Chelsea clear.
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48 min Chelsea struggled to get out when it was 11v11, so you can imagine how the first few minutes of the second half have gone.
46 min Apparently Jordan Henderson has a tight thigh, hence the substitution.
46 min Peep peep! Chelsea begin the second half. It looks like they’ll play a 4-3-2 with Werner and Mount as split strikers.
Thiago Alcantara has replaced Jordan Henderson in Liverpool’s midfield. Jurgen Klopp gives him a pep talk and a hug before he joins the action.
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Yes, Chelsea are also making a half-time substitution: Fikayo Tomori comes to replace Kai Havertz (and Andreas Christensen).
Thiago Alcantara is coming on for Liverpool. You’d imagine Chelsea will bring on a defender as well.
“A testament to Mane’s cleverness, speed and strength that one,” says Edward Wall. “In the replay from the goal side you can see that at the point they come together Mane’s left foot kicks Christensen’s foot from under him. He essentially trips him up. Hence Christensen’s flailing arm as he goes down, and his protests in vain. The slow-motion replays show that kind of thing, the subtle art of buying fouls. Mane is really some player. Incredible that no-one else seemed to be in for him when he was at Southampton.”
Louis van Gaal was, but I assume Ed Woodward knew better. That’s an interesting take on the red card – I missed that completely but will have a look next time we see a replay.
“Hi Rob,” says Manasvin. “Just wanted to point out that even in a first half where they’ve been dominated, Kovacic showed how many problems he solves for Chelsea. Lampard’s buildup strategy isn’t great against Liverpool’s press especially when you factor in how Jorginho has been playing, but Kovacic receiving on the turn and driving has been the most exciting moment for the Blues.”
He’s such a good player, much better than I thought when he first joined on loan.
“That straight red is a good explanation of the decline of the home team advantage,” says Paul Griffin. “VAR has eroded the unintended, marginal home bias of officials.”
“Have I told you,” says Matt Dony, “how much I love VAR?”
Half-time reading
Half time: Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool
Peep peep! Chelsea set out to contain Liverpool and were doing a decent job until Andreas Christensen was sent off in injury time for pulling back Sadio Mane when he was through on goal. It’s going to be a long second half for their defenders.
45+2 min Alexander-Arnold whips the free-kick over the bar.
45+2 min The free-kick is 30 yards from goal, with Alexander-Arnold over the ball.
Christensen is sent off!
45+1 min It’s hard to argue with that, although that’s exactly what Christensen is doing.
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45 min The referee Paul Tierney has gone to look at the monitor.
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45 min The only thing that might save Christensen is that Kepa was nearby. But I still think this should be a red card.
44 min A quite brilliant long pass from Henderson releases Mane, who is deliberately pulled down by the last man Christensen. He is booked but VAR are checking for a red card.
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43 min I don’t think either keeper has made a save. Liverpool have been the dominant team but Frank Lampard will be pleased with how Chelsea have defended.
41 min Havertz’s free-kick flashes across the face of goal with no Chelsea player alert enough to take advantage.
40 min Henderson fouls Werner 22 yards from goal. The free-kick is a fair way to the left of centre, probably too far for a direct shot.
37 min Werner misses a sitter, though it wouldn’t have counted. Everyone in the ground knew that Havertz was going to be flagged offside as soon as the ball went dead.
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36 min Henderson’s very deep cross is volleyed into the ground and wide of the near post by Robertson. It was a half chance at most.
35 min Salah, on the left of the box after a half-cleared corner, smashes a low cross that whistles past everyone in the six-yard area.
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32 min A decent effort from Werner. He picked up a loose ball 30 yards out, ran at the backpedalling Alexander-Arnold and hit a left-footed shot that drifted just wide of the far post. Alisson had it covered though.
31 min Now Chelsea do put a few passes together. Eventually Alonso sprays a fine pass out to his fellow full-back James, whose low cross is cleared at the near post by Robertson.
30 min Chelsea can’t keep the ball. I can remember only one move of more than four of five passes, when Kante turned away from goal in the area.
29 min “Afternoon Rob,” says Simon McMahon. “Average of over five goals per game so far in the Premiership this weekend, and on course to break the record for most goals in a single round of fixtures. So, come on, let’s have some please. Forget Expected Goals, let’s bring back the Guardian Goals Guarantee.”
When you say ‘bring back’…
28 min There’s only been one shot on target in the match. It hasn’t been a thriller, even if the tactical struggle has been interesting.
27 min See 21 min.
24 min Alexander-Arnold’s driven cross is kicked away by Christensen at the near post. Chelsea are holding on a little bit.
23 min Kovacic’s pass over the defence is just too far in front of Mount, who made a good run infield and would have been through on goal had he been able to control the ball.
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21 min Liverpool are still very dominant, even if most of their possession has been harmless. Chelsea have threatened occasionally through Werner, but Havertz and Mount have barely touched the ball.
19 min Salah’s shot from the edge of the area is blocked by Christensen. Chelsea break through Werner, who tries to twist away from the last man Fabinho on the edge of the Liverpool area and is expertly tackled. Really good defending.
17 min Chelsea work the ball nicely from left to right, with Mount eventually finding Kante in the area. The shot isn’t on so he turns away from goal, don’t ask me why, and the move peters out.
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14 min: Christensen clears off the line! That was a strange incident. The ball ricocheted towards the Chelsea area after a 50/50 between James and Henderson. Kepa came, thinking he would get there first, but the ball kept running away from him and towards Salah on the right side of the area. Salah went round Kepa and crossed low to the near post, where Firmino’s close-range shot was blocked on the line by Christensen.
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12 min Salah plays a square pass to tee up Wijnaldum, who shoots wide from 25 yards. We haven’t seen that potential penalty again, so presumably there was nothing in it.
11 min Salah goes over in the area after a slightly clumsy challenge from Kovacic (I think). There wasn’t much of an appeal, actually, but it will presumably be checked.
11 min This is a bit ominous for Chelsea. Liverpool are completely dominating possession, and it feels like a matter of time before they create a clear chance.
10 min “At home you’re distracted by your to-do list,” says Zach Neeley. “Lacks the freedom of the open road.”
Wasn’t that Cummings’ excuse?
9 min Robertson, who has already made four or five terrific runs, wins a corner off James. He takes it himself and it’s headed away at the near post.
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8 min Chelsea look happy to sit deep and use the pace of Werner on the break. Liverpool are on the front foot, same as always.
7 min “Without the fans maybe being at home is not such an advantage,” says Gary Stover.
Yes, agreed, though it’s slightly odd that it’s happening now rather than straight after lockdown, as it did in the Bundesliga.
5 min Liverpool have started like the home team, with lots of possession. They look relaxed and confident.
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3 min Werner has another run at Fabinho, who does well to stand his ground and ease Werner off the ball.
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3 min Kovavic’s overhit pass is kept in by the speedy Werner. He then beats Fabinho with ease but his cross is blocked.
2 min Chelsea have started with Kai Havertz at centre forward. Timo Werner is on the left wing and Mason Mount on the right.
1 min Peep peep! Liverpool, specifically Naby Keita, kick off from left to right.
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Frank Lampard and Jurgen Klopp greet each other with a handshake, a hug and a smile. I give it half an hour.
This is a great spot from my colleague Tim de Lisle. Any theories? It might be a fitness thing, with rusty defences more vulnerable to counter-attacks.
This season’s #EPL so far: 9 away wins, just 5 home (no draws). Only home team to keep a clean sheet: #Palace v Southampton. Of the 54 goals, 34 have been scored by the visiting side. Home is the new away
— Tim de Lisle (@TimdeLisle) September 20, 2020
Pre-match thoughts “I have to say I would be quite anxious right now if I was a Chelsea fan,” says Robert Lin. “This game could be a reality check for the big spenders as their new signings take time to settle in. Liverpool could go for the jugular and get a real statement win.”
It’s really warm in west London, around 25 degrees. That, and the short pre-season, will probably impact upon the tempo of the game.
There were big away wins in the first two games of the day: Southampton 2-5 Spurs and Newcastle o-3 Brighton.
Thanks for the emails pointing out that the Liverpool team only had ten men. I’d omitted Virgil van Dijk to bring him down a peg or two after that error last weekend, but he’s back now.
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Pre-match reading
Team news
Joe Gomez and Joel Matip have minor injuries, so Fabinho will play at centre-back for Liverpool. Their new signing Thiago Alcantara is on the bench; Diogo Jota was not registered in time for this game. Chelsea make one change from the team that beat Brighton: Mateo Kovacic is in for Ruben Loftus-Cheek. It looks like a switch from 4-2-3-1 to 4-3-3.
Chelsea (4-3-3) Kepa; James, Christensen, Zouma, Alonso; Kante, Jorginho, Kovacic; Havertz, Werner, Mount.
Substitutes: Caballero, Azpilicueta, Tomori, Barkley, Hudson-Odoi, Abraham, Giroud.
Liverpool (4-3-3) Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Fabinho, van Dijk, Robertson; Keita, Henderson, Wijnaldum; Salah, Firmino, Mane.
Substitutes: Adrian, Thiago, Milner, Jones, Minamino, Tsimikas, Origi.
Referee Paul Tierney.
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Preamble
As if this game needs a preamble! Chelsea v Liverpool would have been an early-season humdinger even without the burgeoning needle between the two sides. It will be ultra-competitive on the touchline at Stamford Bridge, never mind the pitch. Frank Lampard and Jurgen Klopp had a slanging match during Liverpool’s 5-3 win at the end of last season, and though they have been very polite this week, their competitive juices will start flowing once the match begins.
Both teams started the league season with victories. Liverpool beat Leeds 4-3 in a madcap game at Anfield, while Chelsea had a slightly flattering 3-1 win at Brighton. This is an early chance for them to show they are serious title contenders, and for Liverpool to put Chelsea back in their box. One way or another, it’ll be emotional.
Kick off 4.30pm.
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