Overview
Chelsea defeated Liverpool in a league encounter for the first time since May 2018 in a performance that would have made the manager back then, Antonio Conte proud. Chelsea were professional and mature, playing with an innate belief that they will inevitably get their chances to beat a Liverpool team badly short on confidence.
Unlike the games against Atlético and United, where Chelsea dominated the ball but had to be wary of counter-attacks, the team were happy to play without the ball at Anfield for large stretches of the game. Despite the altered approach, the defensive solidity remained intact and Liverpool barely threatened Édouard Mendy.
Chelsea’s current approach to big games seems to be based around sterilizing possession for both teams, thereby resulting in matches with very few clear-cut chances. It is then the duty of our attackers to capitalize on the solidity offered by the team by taking whatever chances they get, something Mount did expertly well here. While it might sometimes result in dull encounters, it gives the team a fighting chance in every big game.
Match statistics
Statistics from fbref and understat.
Individual ratings
Thomas Tuchel
Over the last three games against Atlético, Manchester United and Liverpool, Chelsea have only conceded 5 shots on target and 24 shots in total. Considering the difference between the three opponents, Tuchel deserves a lot of praise for making the team so versatile defensively. His decision to target Liverpool’s high-line through Werner’s pace worked a treat, too.
The only blot on his playbook, albeit a very minor one, were his in-game changes. Kovačić was brought on at the wrong time and therefore struggled to impose himself. Ziyech stayed longer than necessary too, especially considering other players have been hooked off earlier for a lot less. But all said and done, Tuchel had yet another great showing in a big game.
RATING: 8
Édouard Mendy
Had his best performance since the game at Old Trafford. His proactiveness off his line was excellent and so was his composure on the ball when pressed.
Stats of note
9 loose-ball recoveries - 2nd among Chelsea players
2 defensive actions outside the penalty box
1 cross collected (11 crosses faced)
RATING: 7
Reece James
Had a subdued passing display, both in terms of getting the ball into the attacking third and providing the final ball. Defended diligently within a solid structure, without being exposed often in 1v1 situations. All in all, a solid display but not a lot more.
Stats of note
5 progressive carries - 3rd
3 tackles - Joint 3rd
RATING: 6
César Azpilicueta
Built on his recent rock-solid defensive form and was particularly important in dealing with Sadio Mané. While not limited to this game alone, his ability to control difficult passes and move the ball quickly deserves more praise than it gets right now. He might not be a Dani Alves-level passer but his role in the team’s build-up gets overlooked at times.
Stats of note
3 aerial duels won (3 contested) - 1st
3 passes into final third - Joint 1st
4 shot-creating actions - 2nd
5 progressive passes - 2nd
2 key-passes - Joint 2nd
8 clearances - 3rd
RATING: 7
Andreas Christensen
Defended the box like his life depended on it and showed good judgement in deciding when to get rid of the ball and when to play it out. His passing veered towards the safer side but it is not a major complaint considering the quality of his defensive performance.
Stats of note
11 clearances - Joint 1st
RATING: 7.5
Antonio Rüdiger
The left centre-back slot seems tailor-made for Rüdiger’s competence in defending on the ground. While his passing was not as good as it can be, his ability to win duels against the likes of Firmino and Salah was crucial in limiting Liverpool.
Stats of note
10 loose-ball recoveries - 1st
3 passes into final third - Joint 1st
11 clearances - Joint 1st
3 interceptions - Joint 2nd
2 aerial duels won (2 contested) - Joint 2nd
3 tackles - Joint 3rd
RATING: 7
Ben Chilwell
Contributed solidly at both ends and his passing was valuable when trying to get behind Liverpool’s defence. A couple of overhit crosses aside, his chemistry with Mount was important in opening up space behind Alexander-Arnold. After a series of middling displays, this was a welcome return to the form Chilwell showed earlier in the season.
Stats of note
7 progressive passes - Joint 1st
3 passes into final third - Joint 1st
5 shot-creating actions - Joint 1st
2 key-passes - Joint 2nd
3 progressive passes received - 3rd
8 loose-ball recoveries - 3rd
RATING: 7
Jorginho
Was very active defensively in midfield and was fantastic when directly pitted against Thiago. The security offered by our 3-4-3 means he can afford to take risks (as shown by a ratio of 6 tackles to 4 times dribbled past) without leaving gaping holes in midfield. Played an excellent pass to Werner leading to the disallowed goal, too.
Stats of note
6 tackles - 1st
33 pressures - 1st
3 passes into final third - Joint 1st
RATING: 7
N’Golo Kanté
As is usually the case, playing against Liverpool got the best out of Kanté. He was a blur of motion in midfield and did not offer Liverpool players any space on the ball. Found plenty of time and space in midfield to carry the ball forward, something that is not easy at Anfield. His assist to Mount was delightful in terms of speed, vision and execution.
Stats of note
1 assist
4 interceptions - 1st
3 passes into final third - Joint 1st
4 tackles - 2nd
6 progressive carries - 2nd
2 key passes - Joint 2nd
RATING: 7.5
Hakim Ziyech
Was lucky to have continued past half-time and he did not do much afterwards to justify his presence on the pitch. He played within himself and shied away from making dangerous passes. Ziyech when he is not taking risks on the ball is not Ziyech.
Stats of note
2 shots - 2nd
5 touches in penalty box - 2nd
RATING: 5.5
Timo Werner
Worked incredibly hard up front and was desperately unlucky to have a goal chalked off thanks to a bizarre implementation of the offside rule. Could have done better on a chance early in the first half but outside that, Tuchel will be happy with what he saw.
Stats of note
7 touches in penalty box - 1st
13 progressive passes received - 1st
3 shots - Joint 1st
29 pressures - 2nd
2 aerial duels won (4 contested) - Joint 2nd
RATING: 6.5
Mason Mount
Took over the game in every sense of the word, even outside his sharply taken goal. Drove Chelsea’s attacking play by cutting through Liverpool’s core — he especially ran riot in the corridor between Fabinho, Alexander-Arnold and Thiago — with his ball-carrying and forward passing.
Stats of note
1 goal
4 passes into penalty box - 1st
3 key passes - 1st
13 progressive carries - 1st
8 carries into final third - 1st
2 carries into penalty box - 1st
3 shots - Joint 1st
5 shot-creating actions - Joint 1st
7 progressive passes - Joint 1st
6 progressive passes received - 2nd
3 interceptions - Joint 2nd
25 pressures - 3rd
3 touches in penalty box - 3rd
3 tackles - Joint 3rd
RATING: 8.5
Substitutes
Christian Pulisic (60th minute) — Did well to act as an outlet when Chelsea went long but did not contribute much outside that. His lack of defensive contribution in terms of tracking players, especially once Mount went off, threatened Chelsea’s structure at times.
Stats of note
2 aerial duels won (3 contested) - Joint 2nd
Mateo Kovačić (81st minute) — Got into the game slowly but eventually managed to relieve pressure. Like Pulisic, his defensive contribution was slightly shaky.
Kai Havertz (90th minute) — Nothing of note.