Overview

In a battle of two of England’s three best teams, ten-man Chelsea equalled a strong home team, a boisterous crowd and some questionable officiating to earn a point. Liverpool huffed and puffed but could not create clear openings in open play, with their best chances coming from a corner and a contentious penalty.

Chelsea started the game positively and capitalized on our momentum thanks to a well-taken header from Kai Havertz from a corner. The team created some great transitional situations to score a second or third goal but could not make full of them – with Lukaku, Havertz and Mount all taking wrong decisions.

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Match statistics

(NB: our passing/offensive stats are poor due to the red card and there is an unusual amount of discrepancy between understat and fbref’s xG data)

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Individual ratings

Thomas Tuchel

Anthony Taylor and the rest of the officiating team blighted an outstanding showing from Chelsea and Tuchel. Before the red card, the team had Liverpool exactly where we needed them and could have scored more were it not for some carelessness in the final-third.

Liverpool created zero big chances even after the red card – and zero from open play in the whole game – which is a testament to the organization and resilience of the team. Liverpool could not enter the box often even with a man advantage and when they did, one of Chelsea’s back three stepped in to eliminate danger. The only surprising move by Tuchel was to move Mount closer to goal after his solid display as a deeper midfielder last week against Arsenal – a decision that did not bear fruit.

RATING: 8.5

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Édouard Mendy – GK

While Chelsea’s organization ensured Liverpool did not create good chances, Mendy was still called into action against long-range shots and did a great job. He was also proactive at collecting crosses and performing his sweeper-keeper duties. With every passing week, Mendy is stamping his case as one of world’s premier all-round goalkeepers.

Stats of note
6 saves
2 crosses collected (21 faced)
2 defensive actions outside the box
9 passes completed over 40 yards (21 attempted)

RATING: 8.5

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Reece James – RWB

The sending off does not need to be discussed further. In his time on the pitch, Reece appeared to be building on the performance against Arsenal in the attacking sense while switching off at times defensively, although he was covered well by his teammates.

RATING: 6

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César Azpilicueta – RCB

Made a few timely interventions in the box, either throwing himself at shots or making last-ditch interceptions to stop passes. Once the team went defensive, Azpi lead from the front by example.

Stats of note
6 tackles – Joint 1st
18 pressures – Joint 1st
10 clearances – Joint 1st
10 loose-ball recoveries – 2nd
2 touches in penalty box – Joint 2nd
2 aerial duels won (5 contested) – Joint 2nd

RATING: 8.5

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Andreas Christensen– CB

Continued his stellar form, appearing unperturbed by Liverpool’s front 3 and the intense pressure they exert on opponents. Was adjudged the player of the match by Sky Sports, repeating his feat from our win victory at Anfield in 20/21.

Stats of note
4 interceptions – 1st
10 clearances – Joint 1
2 aerial duels won (4 contested) – Joint 2

RATING: 8

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Antonio Rüdiger – LCB

Was outstanding in keeping Salah and Alexander-Arnold quiet in the wider parts of the box, sensing danger and winning duels every time the situation demanded.

Stats of note
3 interceptions – Joint 2
8 loose-ball recoveries – Joint 3

RATING: 8

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Marcos Alonso – LWB

His miscommunication with Mendy caused the chaos that led to Liverpool’s equalizer but he had a great performance outside that moment. Covered large areas once the team went down to 10 men and looked very positive on the ball under pressure, although not all such attempts were successful.

Stats of note
3 passes into final third – 1
14 loose-ball recoveries – 1
3 progressive passes – Joint 1
2 shot-creating actions – Joint 1
6 tackles – Joint 1
18 pressures – Joint 1
3 progressive passes received – 2
2 touches in penalty box – Joint 2
3 progressive carries – Joint 2

RATING: 7.5

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N’Golo Kante – RCM

Looked sharp physically but rusty in terms of decision-making before going down with yet another injury – an occurrence that is becoming worryingly frequent with every passing season. Like others, his choices in transitional attacks were not always the best.

Stats of note
2 shot-creating actions – Joint 1
3 progressive passes – Joint 1
2 passes into final third – Joint 2

RATING: 6.5

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Jorginho – RCM

The game’s tempo, Liverpool’s quality of pressing and the numerical disadvantage made it difficult for him to progress the ball – as seen by 0 progressive passes and 0 passes into the final third. He worked hard defensively but will have much better games in the future.

Stats of note
3 tackles – 2
3 interceptions – Joint 2

RATING: 6.5

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Photo by Chelsea Football Club/Chelsea FC via Getty Images

Kai Havertz – RW/R-AM

Scored an outstanding header to give Chelsea the lead but did not do much outside that, with his decision-making on one particular counter-attack especially frustrating. All said and done, however, this will qualify as another encouraging display.

Stats of note
2 shots – Joint 1
2 shot-creating actions – Joint 1
2 touches in penalty box – Joint 2
2 progressive passes received – Joint 3

RATING: 7

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Romelu Lukaku – CF

Met Matip and Van Dijk blow-for-blow, even when he was isolated in attack. Did a very good job holding up the ball considering the circumstances, brought his teammates into play in some dangerous sequences and got off a couple of very good shots – there is not much else that can be asked from a centre-forward in our position.

Stats of note
2 key passes – 1
2 carries into final third – 1
4 aerial duels won (8 contested) – 1
6 progressive passes received – 1
2 shots – Joint 1
4 touches in penalty box – Joint 1
3 progressive carries – Joint 2

RATING: 7

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Mason Mount – LW/L-AM

Started well but was effectively reduced to a water-carrier role soon after the red card, with his decision-making and execution not at their usual levels when he did have the ball. While he did do a good job defensively, he was poor when it came to assessing his options on the ball.

Stats of note
4 progressive carries – 1
2 carries into box – 1
4 touches in penalty box – Joint 1
17 pressures – 2
2 progressive passes – Joint 2
2 progressive passes received – Joint 3
8 loose-ball recoveries – Joint 3

RATING: 6.5

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Substitutes

Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

Mateo Kovačić (46 minute) – Looked sharper than he has in recent games, with his burst in particular helping the team overcome Liverpool’s pressure. With Kanté’s injury, the team needs Kovačić to be at his best and it is looking good on that front.

Stats of note
2 passes into final third – Joint 2
2 progressive passes – Joint 2

RATING: 7

Thiago Silva (46 minute) – Was rock solid once he came on, looking great as a wide centre-back.

Stats of note
7 clearances – 2
3 interceptions – Joint 2

RATING: 7.5

Trevoh Chalobah (88 minute) – Nothing of note.