Liverpool, the highest-scoring team in the league, was dispossessed of Roberto Firmino’s talents for the encounter, but that provided no consolation to Chelsea in the first half. The Brazilian, luminary in the 4-1 victory over Leicester, picked up a minor groin problem and was not risked in the capital. But such is Klopp’s wealth in attack, he could still field a front three of Daniel Sturridge, Coutinho and Sadio Mane to slice Chelsea apart.
The second half was inevitably going to see a bolder approach from Conte’s men and right after a sequence of play which had Liverpool engaging in quick, slick, one-touch football, the Blues went up the other end of the pitch and profited.
Diego Costa, anonymous until then, had them level on 61 minutes. Nemanja Matic was allowed to foray forward with Klopp’s side too poor and passive in defense, and the striker stabbed home his cut-back at the near post.
Liverpool, for all its superiority, was suddenly shaken. Having had its hands around Chelsea’s throat, the Reds were now feeling the squeeze too.
The Reds are unmatched going forward in the league under Klopp, but it is their game management and control which still needs some refining.
They had opportunities to counter as Chelsea’s plan required more risk, but the final pass let them down.
Courtois made a strong save from a Divock Origi header with 81 minutes on the clock, and despite Chelsea trying to force matters at the end, Liverpool had done more than enough in the beginning.
Liverpool is unbeaten in three visits to the capital; defeating Arsenal before being the better side in a 1-1 draw at Tottenham and then ruining Conte’s long-held record.
Klopp said Liverpool “played football like hell,” Chelsea certainly felt like it was in it before the interval.
