Liverpool put Chelsea to the sword at Anfield as Jurgen Klopp saw his side move five points clear at the top of the Premier League table with a thumping win over the Blues.
Liverpool made a fast start as Darwin Nunez hit the crossbar and saw a shot tipped onto the post by Chelsea goalkeeper Dorde Petrovic, but the hosts were perhaps fortunate not to concede a penalty when Conor Gallagher was clipped by Virgil van Dijk in the box.
Diogo Jota then powered through the Chelsea defence to fire Liverpool ahead, before Conor Bradley produced a stunning finish to double their lead with his first goal for the club. It could have been three at half-time had Nunez then converted a penalty, but the striker hit the post again.
Mauricio Pochettino made a triple change at the break but despite a brief improvement, Liverpool made it three as Bradley set up Dominik Szoboszlai’s header in front of the Kop. Christopher Nkunku pulled one back with his first Chelsea goal, and then could have had a penalty when Van Dijk clipped him from behind.
But Luiz Diaz then added a fourth and Klopp could afford to make changes ahead of Sunday’s trip to third-place Arsenal. Follow all the action from Anfield below plus get the latest odds and tips right here:
A show of force from Liverpool but, maybe more importantly, intent. If one of the concerns from Jurgen Klopp’s shock announcement has been that his burgeoning title challengers might get distracted or lose focus, they responded by winning 4-1 against Chelsea in a strikingly convincing manner.
The long goodbye continues with some of the most devastatingly quick play in Europe, that was certainly too fast for a soft Chelsea team. It is another reason they will miss him, all the more so since this was yet another indication that an exciting new team really is coming together.
This was all personified by 20-year-old Conor Bradley, whose thunderous assertiveness was only complemented by his youthful energy. The Northern Irish international scored a superb breakaway goal for 2-0 and then sent in the most inviting swerving cross for Dominik Szoboszlai to make it 3-0 with a plundering header. You could say he reminds you of a young Gareth Bale, but the Kop were right to sing “there’s only one Conor Bradley”.
He looks a brilliant talent in his own right, who has so seamlessly slotted into a Liverpool side working well.
Liverpool 4-1 Chelsea: The Reds manager will leave the club at the end of the season but this devastating performance shows he has fuelled them to push for the Premier League title
Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino speaking to BBC Match of the Day: “I think Liverpool were better than us, they deserved the three points. We were not good enough, I think for many reasons and I think there is too much to say, they were better than us.
“Maybe yes, you need some luck sometimes. The [Conor] Gallagher penalty incident after seven minutes, I think it might have helped us to build our confidence and help us to play and face the game.
“When you play against a team like Liverpool that is doing really well and is one of the best teams in the last few years and very consistent, you need some points that can help the situation but today the situation was always against us.
“Massive game, we can learn a lot and approach the game in a different way. we need to be more aggressive and address them with the same energy. Today they were much better than us.”
Darwin Nunez set a new Premier League record in Liverpool’s 4-1 victory over Chelsea – by hitting the post or crossbar four times.
The Liverpool striker became the first Premier League player since Opta records began in 2002 to strike the woodwork four times in a single match.
Nunez struck the post with a first-half penalty and then the crossbar with a close-range header in the second half while Chelsea goalkeeper Dorde Petrovic also tipped one of his efforts onto the woodwork.
But Nunez was able to register an assist and set up Luis Diaz’s goal, Liverpool’s fourth of the night, as the Reds went five points clear at the top of the table thanks to a thumping win.
The Liverpool striker hit the woodwork four times and missed a penalty in the 4-1 win against Chelsea, but also made an assist
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp to TNT Sports: “You have to play outstandingly well to keep Chelsea calm. They’re super talented. The way we started the game was really strong.
“We could have scored one or two more. We brought on Trent and Robbo. The boys need rhythym.”
“Incredible. Wonderful. He’s [Conor Bradley] flying at the moment. Rightly so. He’s working hard and is a good footballer. He’s helped us so much it’s incredible. Quite a few people said we need a right-back in the summer but we were very positive about Conor.
“All the injuries we have, we can’t string these results together if these boys don’t show up.”
In Klopponomics, £111m was more than enough for Liverpool to buy Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, Gini Wijnaldum and Andrew Robertson. Or £111m was enough for the biggest, and weirdest, bid of the Jurgen Klopp years. The summer offer for Moises Caicedo seemed Liverpool’s fever dream, their lurch into the world of Todd Boehly.
Caicedo, Klopp rationalised this week, already had an “emotional agreement” with Mauricio Pochettino and Chelsea. Liverpool’s surprise offer at least ensured the financial agreement cost still more: some £115m.
A lucky escape for Liverpool may prove an expensive mistake for Chelsea. A glimpse of what Liverpool could have had can render them grateful for what, and who, they do.
Caicedo’s belated first appearance at Anfield this season consisted of a series of indignities and spells of anonymity. There are times when it is a compliment to say defensive midfielders went unnoticed; but when bypassed, overrun or overpowered, Caicedo was a non-presence.
Liverpool 4-1 Chelsea: Jurgen Klopp lodged a record £111m bid for the last this summer but Caicedo was dominated by Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones at Anfield
Dominik Szoboszlai gave his thoughts after the match saying: “Conor Bradley was really good. A goal, two assists. He couldn’t wish for a better day. We’re very happy to have him.
“I didn’t have to do so much because it came on my head. It’s probably the first header in my life.
“Trent should take care of his position. No, we need everyone. We have a lot of games.
“First of all we have a free day tomorrow. Everyone should take care with what we’re doing tonight. Hopefully everyone goes to sleep and we’re ready for Sunday [match with title rivals Arsenal].”
Liverpool right-back Conor Bradley told TNT Sports: “It’s a very proud moment, something I dreamed of for a long time. I feel like I’m in a dream. It’s unbelievable.
“I just couldn’t believe my goal went in. I didn’t know what to do. I went over to the corner and did a knee slide. It was brilliant, so it was.
“It was unfortunate the way Trent got injured. I just had to try to take my chance. I feel I’ve done pretty well.
“[Klopp leaving was a] big shock to us all. It’s giving us extra motivation.”
Liverpool’s 28 shots tonight is the joint-most on record (since 2003/04) any side has had in a Premier League match against Chelsea, while their 13 shots on target is the most the Blues have faced in a league match in that time.
Darwin Nunez has now become the first player on record (since 2003/04) to hit the woodwork four times in a single Premier League match.
He also took 11 shots and didn’t score a goal tonight.
Liverpool put Chelsea to the sword at Anfield as Jurgen Klopp saw his side move five points clear at the top of the Premier League table with a thumping win over the Blues.
Liverpool made a fast start as Darwin Nunez hit the crossbar and saw a shot tipped onto the post by Chelsea goalkeeper Dorde Petrovic, but the hosts were perhaps fortunate not to concede a penalty when Conor Gallagher was clipped by Virgil van Dijk in the box.
Diogo Jota then powered through the Chelsea defence to fire Liverpool ahead, before Conor Bradley produced a stunning finish to double their lead with his first goal for the club. It could have been three at half-time had Nunez then converted a penalty, but the striker hit the post again.
Liverpool 4-1 Chelsea: The 20-year-old scored his first goal for the club and set up two more as the Reds thrashed the Blues at Anfield
