Mason Mount Celebrates his goal. From The Independent.
Chelsea snatched themselves a 1-0 win at Anfield with Mason Mount’s curling effort proving enough to hand the Premier League Champions their fifth straight home defeat. The Blues look in pole position to qualify for next season’s Champions League now.
The build up to this game was a hopeful one for both sides. Liverpool looked a much-improved side in their away win against Sheffield United. But Liverpool have been far from perfect in recent weeks. Chelsea, on the other hand, have been close to perfect since Tuchel took the helm. It would shape up a must win game for both sides: a spot in the top four the goal for both sides undoubtedly.
Liverpool fans’ expectations for the game were significantly heightened when they found out that Diogo Jota as well as the ever-solid Fabinho were to be involved in the match. Liverpool were to line up with the returning Alisson Becker in goal. In front of him would be the same back line as last time out, minus Nat Phillips. He would be replaced by Fabinho at centre half. Aside from that, it was pretty much the Liverpool side you’d expect at the minute.
Chelsea lined up with the intention of attacking Liverpool. The two English wing backs: James and Chilwell would prove to be real problems for The Champions. Rudiger, Christensen and Azpilicueta were the three main defenders looking to stop Liverpool’s front three. In attack, it was Mount, Ziyech and Werner who would chase balls from Kante and Jorginho in the middle of the park.
From the opening whistle it was evident that a long ball from either side could be enough to create scoring chances. Both sides enjoyed spells with the ball and Chelsea’s Timo Werner gave Liverpool a couple of warnings.
It was only a matter of time before Werner latched onto a long ball from Jorginho and beat Alisson before scoring into an empty net. VAR was to have it’s say on this, though and deemed that he was “clearly and obviously” offside by his fingertips… Liverpool were definitely lucky to escape that one…
Immediately after this another long ball nearly bore fruit. This time it was for The Champions. Sadio Mane just couldn’t keep his cool after a ball over the top gifted him a chance (albeit a difficult one) to beat goalkeeper Mendy.
Before half time came, young Englishman Mason Mount would once more display his importance: not only as a player but as an example for young footballers coming through academy systems. He chased a long ball on the left and beat Fabinho. Mount managed to pick the ball up near the byline and drive diagonally at the Liverpool defenders. Little was done to stop him and he found himself in the perfect position to strike. From just inside the box, he curled a beautiful effort into the bottom corner of the goal. 1-0 to the away side. VAR couldn’t rule this one out.
In the second half, Liverpool would go on to feel hard done by as they were denied a penalty after Firmino’s cross struck Kante’s arm. It’s got to be said that, if that were given as a penalty, it would’ve been a tad harsh…
The rest of the match would play out in similar fashion to Liverpool’s previous home defeats… It just seems that they run out of ideas once Plan A doesn’t work out.
The match ended 1-0 to the visitors, who now sit in a top four spot, unlike Liverpool who now find themselves in a dismal position in seventh.
Exiting this match, Chelsea look as though they can stay in that top four, despite Everton breathing intrusively down their necks.
As for Liverpool, finding good form is vital. When will that happen, well who knows? Maybe the Champions league this season should be their priority now…
MC 