Chelsea FC 1-3 Liverpool FC – Post-match reaction
Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool came from a goal down to register a first Premier League win with a 1-3 victory this afternoon over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge taking all three points in a pulsating match. Philippe Coutinho scored twice before Christian Benteke’s late effort avenged Ramirez early goal piling yet more pressure on beleaguered Blues’ boss Jose Mourinho.
In a surprise line up, Klopp opted to start with Roberto Firmino as the lone striker in place of Christian Benteke who started on the bench in view of his recent injury. Divock Origi was dropped completely out of sight and didn’t even make the bench. Instead his place going justifiably, to Joao Teixeira. The 20 year-old Belgian was apparently kept back at Melwood for extra training. Considering the standard of his performances since becoming a regular starter under the new manager – basically poor – this hardly comes as a surprise and hopefully he will benefit from the extra practise.
Against popular opinion, Coutinho retained his place against expectations after some below-par performances over the last four or five games. His goals either side of half time with left and right feet respectively, served as a warning to anyone, let alone Liverpool supporters who dared doubt his quality. The remainder of the team was as expected. Alberto Moreno recalled to left back, Nathaniel Clyne to right back and regular centre back pairing Mamadou Sakho and Martin Skrtel. Emre Can and Lucas Leiva ahead of them, and James Milner and Adam Lallana joining the two Brazilian’s in attack.
The goal conceded in the fourth minute by the visitors was nothing short of shambolic and encompassed all of the frailties that often dog their defence. Too slow, poor positioning, generally all at sea and generally Moreno being largely at fault. Ramirez and Willian completely left to their own devices as the former nodded in past the helpless Simon Mignolet. Liverpool however, did not dwell on this sudden and self inflicted misfortune. They continued to play as if it hadn’t happened which says a lot for the influence and belief instilled into the team by Klopp.
The hosts however, dug in, sensing that they were going to have to work hard to maintain their advantage. With the clock showing 47:18 – including the two minutes of injury time added on at the end of the first half, Liverpool drew level. Milner laid a short pass to Firmino who teed up his compatriot Coutinho on the edge of the Chelsea box who cut in to his left and unleashed a left-foot drive past the outstretched right arm of Asmir Begović. 1-1, the half time whistle goes and not before Mourinho storms off down the tunnel in disgust.
Klopp’s men probed and pressed throughout the second half but it wasn’t until the introduction of Benteke on 64 minutes and the removal of Milner that Liverpool finally looked as if they’d extend their lead. In the 74th minute, take the lead they did. A super diagonal, route one ball from Sakho was nodded on by Benteke into the path of Coutinho. A touch to control and shimmy to his right from the little Brazilian left two Chelsea defenders looking at each other, his right-foot shot despatched neatly inside Begović’s left post. 1-2. Visiting players and fans jubilant having established the rightful scoreline. The hosts shellshocked and resigned to yet another defeat. 10 minutes later, this proved well founded.
With six minutes of normal time remaining, Lallana dummied a pass from Jordan Ibe, into the path of Benteke. Two touches later, the Belgian had shot low across goal to put the result beyond doubt. 1-3. Game over.
Klopp made a bold move to start with Firmino as a loan striker. Benteke, having recovered from his recent knee injury, was not risked and the move paid dividends. Klopp mentioned in his post-match interview that you can’t win at Chelsea without a bit of luck when asked about the possible sending off of Lucas and of course, he’s totally right. What is also right is that Liverpool made their own luck today and this is pleasing.
Three more points in the bag and two more places up the table to seventh, at least until tomorrow when results may dictate otherwise. The team is improving this is for sure and those improvements are apparent in the results. Next up is the away trip to the back of beyond in Russia for the Europa League return leg against FK Rubin Kazan, before a tough home fixture against Crystal Palace next Sunday. In my opinion, Klopp should make Sunday’s game his priority.
By all means give the youngsters a run-out against the Russians but don’t be too bothered about the result. Concentrate on the league. At this point, there is definitely a top-four place up for grabs and the less distractions, the more the team can focus on that.
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