Liverpool and Chelsea gain little with point in mediocre game
Liverpool and Chelsea got a disappointing result in the Premier League by drawing 0-0 in the match between them. Both top clubs are just not making it out of the mid-table this season and get little benefit from the point.
Cody Gakpo was once again given confidence in the forward line by Liverpool coach Jürgen Klopp. However, routines Jordan Henderson and Fabinho were kept on the sidelines by the German coach, as was right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold who was passed over in favour of veteran James Milner. Besides Gakpo, Harvey Elliot and Stefan Bajcetic were also on the match sheet. Chelsea coach Graham Potter had a basic spot for Hakim Ziyech, while winter acquisition Mykhailo Mudryk started on the reserve bench.
Early goal cancelled out
Chelsea looked set to plunge Anfield into mourning after just a few minutes when Kai Havertz opened the scoring from a rebound after Thiago Silva had hit the post. However, the German was offside at the moment Silva struck and so the early lead did not materialise for the troubled Chelsea. The home side hardly managed to create any danger. Gakpo did not escape the malaise. He crowned an in itself fine move after 20 minutes with a shot that flew high over Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa’s goal. After half an hour, Alisson Becker saved Liverpool at the other end when he cleverly parried a Benoît Badiashile header.
The second half also seemed to have a spectacular opening when Ibrahima Konaté wanted to hit a long cross from the halfway line. However, his high ball turned into a shot that sailed only just past the post. Ten minutes after half-time, Potter granted his acquisition Mudryk his Chelsea debut. The Ukrainian immediately showed why Chelsea had no less than €100 million to spare for him and had his biggest chance after 15 minutes after a fine pass from Ziyech, but could not control the ball at the far post.
With the insertion of Alexander-Arnold, Henderson and Fabinho and Darwin Nuñez, Klopp hoped to force something more, but in the hectic final stages both teams failed to score. The draw does mean Liverpool pass number eight Brentford in the league table, but does not move much closer to the places that entitle them to Champions League football. Chelsea remain tenth and don’t need to think about that for the time being.