Liverpool news: Reds play out thrilling 2-2 draw against Chelsea

Chelsea and Liverpool played out a thrilling 2-2 draw in the Premier League fixture at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. Sadio Mane, who escaped a first-minute red card put Liverpool in front before Mohamad Salah doubled the lead inside the opening half-hour mark. But Chelsea produced a spirited comeback in the last four minutes of the opening half as Mateo Kovacic’s sensational volley and Christian Pulisic’s brilliant lob leveled the scoreline on the stroke of half-time. Meanwhile the result does no good to both sides as leaders Manchester City takes a 10-point lead over second-placed Chelsea while Liverpool remain third.

An instant #PL classic at Stamford Bridge!

? #CHELIV ? pic.twitter.com/XGeMFy4FGa

— Premier League (@premierleague) January 2, 2022

Absence of Chelsea’s record signing Romelu Lukaku from the team sheet was a talking point before the start of the game. Meanwhile immediately after kickoff, inside 15 seconds, Liverpool could have been reduced to 10-man had Mane been shown a red card and not yellow for catching Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta in the face with a leading elbow.

Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy was called into action within the opening 5 minutes. A poor header from Trevor Chalobah released Mane on the left flank. The Senegal international dribbled forward before crossing it for Salah inside the box, but his effort was well saved by Mendy.

However four minutes later, Mane gave the lead to the visitors. It was yet another poor defensive header from Chalobah and the 29-year-old pounced on the loose ball, rounded Mendy, and slotted home into the net.

Jurgen Klopp’s side extended the lead in the 26th minute. Kai Havertz was dispossessed and Trent Alexander- Arnold played a brilliant through ball to release Salah on the right side. The Egyptian easily skipped past Marcos Alonso before slotting the ball past Mendy at the near post. The visitors were on top of their game and Thomas Tuchel’s side were floored as Chalobah made a goal-saving challenge to prevent Salah from adding a third.

But, against the run of play, Kovacic pulled one back for the hosts in the 42nd minute. Alonso’s free-kick was punched clear by Liverpool’s stand-in goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher only for Kovacic to volley it back from the edge of the box. The Croatian’s pin-point effort swerved back before cannoning in off the post.

goalkeeper’s made brilliant saves to share points

Four minutes later, the hosts completed a remarkable first half turnaround as N’Golo Kant played a through ball to release Pulisic on goal and the American forward lobbed the ball over an advancing Kelleher to level the score and sparking wild celebrations inside Stamford Bridge.  

After the restart, Liverpool regrouped themselves and created three good chances. But Mendy stood firm to deny them the winner. The Senegal custodian thwarted a fine Diogo Jota volley within seven minutes of the restart. Four minutes later, Salah’s long- ranger almost caught Mendy off guard but the 29-year-old quickly recovered to tip the ball over the crossbar.

Just after the hour-mark, Mane played a one-two with Salah on the left flank before cutting inside and testing Mendy from just inside the box. Meanwhile at the other end, Kelleher made a brilliant close-range save to keep out Pulisic’s half-volley from Alonso’s cross. The result helped Chelsea to 43 points from 21 games while Liverpool are one point behind them with a game in hand.