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Now we know, then: Liverpool are very much in the Premier League title race. The Reds may have gone into Sunday’s clash with Chelsea second in the table, but there were legitimate doubts over their credentials, given the softness of their fixture list.
However, a hard-earned 2-1 win over the in-form Blues proved that Arne Slot’s side are made of stern stuff. They didn’t play particularly well at Anfield, but they still found a way to win – the mark of potential champions, as they say.
As for Chelsea, they performed well on Merseyside but were punished for the kind of sloppiness and ill-discipline that are already becoming something of a trademark.
Below, GOAL runs through all the winners and losers from a low-quality but nonetheless intriguing encounter at Anfield that ended with Liverpool reclaiming top spot in the Premier League standings from Manchester City…
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Getty Images SportWINNER: Curtis Jones
Eyebrows were raised when the team sheets dropped. Slot had decided to drop Luis Diaz and Alexis Mac Allister to the bench. It made sense, of course, given both had been on international duty in South America during the week, but it felt like both would be missed, particularly Mac Allister.
Indeed, Cody Gakpo has been in fine form this season despite mainly serving as Diaz’s understudy. He arguably warranted a start in such a big game. But there were some doubts over whether Jones would do just as good a job filling in for Mac Allister, who has been hugely influential for Liverpool ever since he joined from Brighton last season – no matter where he plays.
However, Jones was outstanding, easily the best player on the pitch. Even though he was, ostensibly, playing in a deeper midfield role, he caused chaos with his perfectly-timed runs into the area, which resulted in a penalty for Mohamed Salah and a goal for himself.
It wasn’t in the least bit surprising, then, when Slot made a beeline for Jones immediately after the full-time whistle blew to give the Scouser the biggest of hugs. He’d well and truly earned one.
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Getty ImagesLOSER: Jadon Sancho
This was a big game for both sides, and a lot of players, including Jadon Sancho. But it couldn’t have gone much worse for the maddeningly inconsistent winger.
Sancho didn’t complete a single dribble or win a single duel. He also lost the ball seven times in 45 minutes and offered nothing defensively, resulting in him being hauled off during the break and replaced by Pedro Neto, who immediately added some much-needed incision to Chelsea’s left-hand side.
Sancho is still only 24 and has recently shown glimpses of the player that looked like a world-beater at Borussia Dortmund, but this was yet another sighting of the £73 million ($95m) flop we saw at Manchester United.
He’ll obviously get further chances to prove his worth to Chelsea, but if there’s one thing that the Blues do not lack, it’s options out wide. If Sancho doesn’t up his game – and fast – he could once again end up spending an awful lot of time on the bench.
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AFPWINNER: Mohamed Salah
How has Mohamed Salah been allowed to enter the final year of his contract? Seriously, it beggars belief. He may be 32 years of age, but just give him what he wants. He’s worth it. He remains the most decisive player in English football.
After the Egyptian’s latest masterclass in how to win games and influence people, he’s now both scored and assisted in 34 different matches in the Premier League – only Wayne Rooney has managed that particular double on more occasions (36).
He’s a living legend, it’s as simple as that – and he’s showing no sign of slowing down. Liverpool simply cannot do without him. He proved that once again on Sunday with an emphatic penalty and the most gorgeous ball for Jones’ winner.
So, sign him up, Liverpool – before someone else does. There are few better players in the world.
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AFPLOSER: Diogo Jota
Diogo Jota scored the winner in Liverpool’s game against Crystal Palace just before the international break and was once again chosen to lead the line against Chelsea. However, he was forced off inside half an hour after suffering yet another injury.
It was a seriously unfortunate incident, with Jota succumbing to what looked like a chest problem after Tosin Adarabioyo effectively fell on him after hauling the Portuguese to the ground as he looked to latch onto a long ball over the top.
Jota tried to play on for a while but could not continue and was replaced up front by Darwin Nunez. The Uruguayan did well in Jota’s stead, but there’s no disguising just how big a blow it was for Liverpool to see their first-choice forward injured again.
Jota is, in most people’s eyes, Liverpool’s most clinical finisher, but he just cannot be relied upon to stay fit and his incessant injury issues could undermine the Reds’ hopes of challenging for the title, just as they did last season.
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Getty Images SportWINNER: Liverpool’s title challenge
Liverpool had won six of their seven Premier Leagues under Slot, but the man himself was the first to point out that they hadn’t actually played a single in-form side. Not one of their previous wins had come over a team in the top half of the table. Victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford may have been enjoyable, but beating such a poor team was hardly a reliable indicator of Liverpool’s quality.
However, defeating Chelsea is a different story altogether. The Blues may not be quite ready to challenge for the title – but Liverpool clearly are. Indeed, that has to be the target now, after beating a strong, confident side that hadn’t lost since the opening weekend of the season, against Manchester City.
Liverpool didn’t play with any great fluidity but they got the job done, demonstrating the kind of fight and resilience required to mount a serious title challenge. With these three points they can go into next weekend’s clash with Arsenal at the Emirates with real belief, and buoyed by the knowledge that all of the pressure is on their hosts.
The Reds have just embarked upon a brutal, season-defining run of fixtures but it couldn’t have got off to a better start. As expected, Slot’s side were given a serious test by Chelsea on Sunday, but they passed it.
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AFPLOSER: Chelsea’s discipline
Chelsea have made a strong start to the season. They may have been beaten at Anfield, but they once again played well, causing the league leaders all sorts of problems and were rightly applauded for their efforts by the visiting fans, who quite understandably like what they’re seeing from Enzo Maresca’s men.
However, the Italian’s team quite clearly have a problem with discipline. Remember, they had arrived at Anfield without two of their first-choice back four, Wesley Fofana and Marc Cucurella, both of whom were suspended having already picked up five yellow cards this season.
The Blues also picked up a further three bookings during the game against Liverpool, with striker Nicolas Jackson once again guilty of dissent. Chelsea supporters have plenty of grounds for optimism right now, but their side’s propensity for picking up silly bookings has simply got to be addressed by Maresca if they’re to have a successful season.
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