THE Mauricio Pochettino era at Chelsea has officially begun against Liverpool – and it has got off to the worst start.
It has been a tense battle with both teams looking dangerous on the attack.
However, Luis Diaz’s strike has finally broken the deadlock after Mo Salah’s incredible assist.
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- TV channel: Sky Sports Main Event / Premier League
- Chelsea XI: Sanchez; Disasi, Silva, Colwill; James, Gallagher, Fernandez, Chukwuemeka, Chilwell; Sterling, Jackson
- Liverpool XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gakpo, MacAllister, Szoboszlai; Salah, Jota, Diaz
- Explainer: Why have Chelsea not got a kit sponsor?
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Chelsea 1-1 Liverpool
37. It’s a debut goal for Axel Disasi!
Equaliser!
Chelsea 0-1 Liverpool
34. Todd Boehly is an attendance at Stamford Bridge.
A penny for his thoughts.
Or should I say £400m on three new midfielders.
Chelsea 0-1 Liverpool – Fernandez and Jota yellow cards
32. Finally some feist!
After Enzo Fernandez trips Diogo Jota, the two players butt heads right in front of Anthony Taylor, giving the referee no choice but to take action.
Chelsea 0-1 Liverpool
30. Mo Salah scores Liverpool’s second – or so he thinks!
Trent Alexander-Arnold becomes the latest player to split Chelsea’s defence with a perfect through ball, and the electric Salah races through to chip the grounded Robert Sanchez.
The goal is initially awarded on the field, but after a lengthy VAR check, it is chalked off for an incredibly tight offside.
Very. Fine. Margins.
Chelsea 0-1 Liverpool
28. Approaching the half hour mark, and Chelsea have dominated possession – 60% to 40% – but it’s Liverpool that have had more shots (five to the hosts’ three).
Chelsea 0-1 Liverpool
26. Back down the other end, and perhaps Salah should have made it two.
It’s a role-reversal this time as Diaz breaks free on the left before teeing up Liverpool’s main man.
Salah takes a touch to steady himself before curling straight at the legs of Silva.
Chelsea 0-1 Liverpool
24. Jackson strikes wide!
It’s a wayward effort from the Senegalese striker as he drags a left-footed effort wide from the edge of the box, but it’s a chance that he made himself by shrugging off the presence of three Liverpool defenders.
Chelsea 0-1 Liverpool
22. Jackson continues to hustle and bustle in the Chelsea attack.
The former Villarreal striker certainly looks as though he has something about him.
Chelsea 0-1 Liverpool
20. Chilwell goes down theatrically in the box under a challenge from Konate.
The home fans roar for a penalty but Anthony Taylor simply waves the player to his feet.
Chelsea 0-1 Liverpool
18. Brilliant goal!
Liverpool work the ball from defence to attack, from left to right and back again, and take the lead in style.
It starts with Alisson, and leads to Alexis Mac Allister pinging out a pass to Mo Salah on the right touchline.
What comes next from the Egyptian is genius, as he curls a wonderful low cross through a line of Chelsea defenders that falls perfectly for Luis Diaz to slide in beyond Robert Sanchez.
A world class assist from a world class player.
Liverpool take the lead!
Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool
17. Gallagher gets caught out again…
Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool
16. Chelsea are enjoying themselves down the right thanks to Sterling’s positioning and James’ overlaps.
They combine again to allow the latter cross low in the direction of Jackson at the near post, only for Alisson to dive off his line and smother.
Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool
14. Enzo Fernandez has broke forward on a couple of occasions…
…which is all well and good until you realise it’s leaving Conor Gallagher as Chelsea’s defensive midfield.
The England man is up against it at the moment.
Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool
12. Salah! Off the crossbar!
It’s been end-to-end stuff in the past few minutes, a spell of attacking almost capped by the opening goal.
Seconds after Konate had blocked a Fernandez shot, Liverpool broke downfield with Gakpo in behind the Chelsea defence.
The Dutchman inexplicably opts not to shoot himself, instead feeding Mo Salah. The Egyptian takes a touch, and then curls a thumper against the woodwork above Sanchez’s outstretched arm.
Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool
10. Better from the Blues, who win the game’s first corner thanks to a darting run down the right from James.
They play it short and then almost find Jackson with a looped cross that is instead headed clear by Konate.
Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool
8. Under strict instruction from Mauricio Pochettino, Chelsea begin to steady themselves.
I wonder if the Argentine’s decision to switch the dugouts at Stamford Bridge helped him to get his message across.
Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool
6. Liverpool have certainly been on top in the opening minutes with the hosts still getting to grips with their new-look team and tactics.
Amid the confusion, Szoboszlai races into the box for Jota to slash wide.
Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool – Chukwuemeka yellow card
4. Ouch! Carney Chukwuemeka chases a high ball, and, in his attempt to control, clatters his studs into the chest of Ibrahima Konate.
It brings referee Anthony Taylor immediately over with a yellow card, and the Chelsea youngster could perhaps count himself lucky that the punishment isn’t worse.
Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool
3. “Trent Alexander-Arnold with a bit of swaz…”
Welcome to Super Sunday, Peter Drury.
Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool
2. While supporters, commentators, journalists and (even a few) players attempt to figure out the formations of each side, Mac Allister whips in the game’s first cross that flicks off the head of Jota for a goalkick.
Kick-off – Chelsea v Liverpool
1. After a minute’s applause in memory of John Hollins, and the taking of the knee in the fight against racism, we are off at the Bridge.
It’s Chelsea versus Liverpool. It’s Blue versus Red. It’s London versus Merseyside. Winner gets Moises Caicedo.
Here come the two teams!
A new season, and two new captains to lead out these famous clubs.
Reece James has been handed the captain’s armband by Mauricio Pochettino, while Virgil van Dijk has stepped in at Liverpool following Jordan Henderson’s exit.
There are plenty of new faces backing the skippers up too as the teams emerge from the tunnel to the tune of The Liquidator.
There is a lot of excitement in the air. A lot of expectancy. And a lot of eager anticipation.
Here we go!
Poch has faith in Sanchez
The omission of Kepa Arrizabalaga has sparked tongues wagging that the Spanish goalkeeper is on his way out of Stamford Bridge – and it’s a theory that appears to have been backed up by Maurico Pochettino.
Speaking ahead of kick-off, the Argentine admitted the goalkeeping situation has developed quickly, but he and his staff have complete trust in the recently-signed Robert Sanchez.
With Kepa, it is something that has happened very quick and it is a situation that is correct [as per recent media reports]. Our focus is on this game and the players that are involved today and, of course, we have big trust in Robert.
Mauricio Pochettino
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
