Liverpool FC helped Chelsea, which had been in disastrous form recently, end its losing streak. Without Wirtz, the Reds lost momentum after a strong start—and were punished in bizarre fashion.
Without playmaker Wirtz, who had to sit out due to a gastrointestinal infection, Liverpool FC has, for the time being, missed what may already be a decisive step toward the Champions League. Against Chelsea FC, which had previously lost six games in a row, the champions had to settle for a 1-1 draw on Saturday afternoon.
Despite limited offensive firepower—in addition to Wirtz, Salah, Ekitiké, and initially Isak were also out—Liverpool got off to a dream start. After a dribble, Ngumoha set up Gravenberch, who beat Jörgensen in the Chelsea goal with a curling shot that wasn’t even perfectly placed (5th minute). Van Dijk missed an open chance to make it 2-0 early on after a short corner (12th minute)—then the Blues, who had looked quite unsettled up to that point, suddenly came to life.
Fernandez’s free kick finds the net
Against a suddenly passive Liverpool side, Chelsea regained their composure through sustained possession and repeatedly put the Reds’ back line under pressure with through balls. Liverpool’s recovered No. 2, Mamardashvili, was still on hand to stop Cucurella’s shot from a tight angle (28th minute), but then Enzo Fernandez’s bouncing free kick—taken from the right side with his right foot (!)—found the far corner (35th minute). Four minutes later, Mamardashvili prevented the World Cup winner from scoring a brace in a one-on-one situation.
After the break, the Blues kept up the pressure, but Palmer’s supposed 2-1 goal following another deep run by Cucurella was disallowed after a VAR review due to a narrow offside call (50′). Liverpool finally got back into the game after a long spell with an offside goal of their own (Jones, 58′) and a shot by Szoboszlai (59′), and also appealed in vain for a handball penalty (Andrey Santos, 59).
Liverpool hits the post and crossbar
The closing stages ultimately belonged to the hosts, who were unlucky twice when Szoboszlai’s low shot hit the post (71’) and van Dijk’s header hit the crossbar following a corner (79’). Liverpool’s captain would also have liked a penalty for Caicedo’s tight marking. And so Chelsea held on for their first point since March 4, a result that is particularly disappointing for the Reds.
Liverpool, however, still have their sights firmly set on a top-five finish, while Chelsea can still hope for European competition—even the Champions League, for which sixth place would suffice if Aston Villa remain fifth and win the Europa League. Liverpool face Villa this coming Friday, while the Blues play the FA Cup final against Man City the following day. A win there would secure a spot in the Europa League.
