CHELSEA looked to be on course for a famous Anfield win – before Reece James’ controversial red card.
Kai Havertz expertly headed the Blues in front, flicking a low corner over Alisson into the far corner.
But the game changed on the stroke of half-time when James blocked Sadio Mane’s effort first with his thigh and then his hand.
Anthony Taylor checked the VAR monitor and decided it was worthy of a red card, sparking a furious reaction from the Chelsea players.
Mo Salah dispatched the penalty but the 2019-20 champions, despite having all of the play in the second half, could not find a winner as it finished 1-1.
Here’s how Simon Phillips rated Thomas Tuchel’s men…
Edouard Mendy – 10
He was fantastic as a sweeper-keeper for Chelsea keeping Liverpool at bay in the first half, until Anthony Taylor decided to ruin a great game.
He was totally under the cosh in the second half after the referee wrongly sent James off, he made some fantastic saves that kept Chelsea in the game.
Cesar Azpilicueta – 9
Solid as always from the captain, and he had to defend even harder in the second half after Chelsea went down to ten men.
He had to go over to right wing-back and did a job there as well.
Andreas Christensen – 9
As with the whole Chelsea team, he was defending for his life in the second half after the terrible refereeing decision, and he had a great game.
Excellent game from him.
Antonio Rudiger – 8
Got booked in the aftermath of James being wrongly sent off in the first half and defended for his life.
He put his body on the line a number of times to try and keep Liverpool at bay.
BETTING SPECIAL GET GREENWOOD TO SCORE AND UNITED TO WIN AT 60/1
Reece James – 6
VERY harshly sent off for a handball leading to a penalty.
Played okay until then.
N’Golo Kante – 7
Went off at half-time with an injury after a pretty decent 45 minutes.
He was sorely missed in the second half.
Jorginho – 8
It certainly wasn’t his best first half after some really good recent form, but he did do his bit to battle on in the second half when Chelsea went down to ten men and had to heavily defend.
He put in maximum effort at the end of the game and showed some real resilience.
Marcos Alonso – 5
Poor game from him, he was often exposed with his lack of pace over on the wings with Liverpool’s attackers, particularly Mo Salah, having a bit of a field day against him.
He struggled today.
Kai Havertz – 8
He took his goal superbly, back heading the corner from James looping into the net.
Played well in the first half and was a real threat every time Chelsea went forward. Victim of the James sending off and taken off at half-time.
Mason Mount – 6
He wasn’t able to get into any kind of rhythm today and could have done more with the ball when he got it.
He was dangerous in the first half at times but needed some better decision making and finishing and Chelsea could have been 2-0 up.
Romelu Lukaku – 7
He was a bit quiet to be honest but didn’t get a lot of service at all, and that dropped off even more in the second half when Chelsea went down to ten men.
He had to work just as hard as any other player defensively for Chelsea in the second half as the tide turned.
SUBS
Mateo Kovacic for Kante (HT) – 9
Worked very hard and did his best to try and keep the ball as much as he could, but it was almost mission impossible when he came on.
Great 45 from him.
Thiago Silva for Havertz (HT) – 9
Tuchel injected some experience at half-time after the sending off and Silva did his best to help Chelsea try and keep Liverpool out.
He was fantastic organising the defence.
Trevoh Chalobah for Jorginho (86 mins) – N/A
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
