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Liverpool secured an important 2-1 win against Chelsea at Anfield in the Premier League on Sunday, October 20. The result sees the Reds retain top spot in the league with 21 points from eight games played, while the Blues remain sixth with 14 points.
The game got off to a flying start and there was action right from the start as Tosin Adarabioyo brought Diogo Jota down near the halfway line. The referee awarded a yellow card but Jota seemed to struggle after that as he picked up an injury and was soon subbed off. In the meantime, Levi Colwill fouled Curtis Jones in the penalty area and Mohamed Salah converted from the spot to put Liverpool up.
There was a repeat of that incident as Jones was again brought down in the box, this time by Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez. A penalty was awarded but it was overturned upon review by the VAR as the Blues custodian got to the ball first. Chelsea failed to hit the target from three first-half attempts as Liverpool carried a one-goal lead into the break.
Chelsea stepped out for the second period looking determined to get back into the game and they did so within three minutes of the restart. Moises Caicedo's pass found Nicolas Jackson, who applied a good finish to level the game at 1-1. However, Liverpool showed great spirit and put up a perfect example of why they are such a fearsome team at Anfield, scoring just three minutes later.
Salah's inch-perfect cross towards the far post found Jones, who brought the ball down with a deft touch before slotting past Sanchez to make it 2-1. Both managers made a host of changes following on from that goal, with some players even coming together and clashing as the game took a heated turn. Darwin Nunez and Benoit Badiashile engaged in tussles a few times in that phase.
Christopher Nkunku had a late chance to bring Chelsea back on terms from Pedro Neto's cross but was inches away from it. Liverpool held on to secure their seventh win of the campaign. On that note, let's take a look at the Reds' player ratings.
Liverpool Player Ratings
Caiomhin Kelleher - 6.5/10
Kelleher made just one save in a rather uneventful match for him.
Trent Alexander-Arnold - 7/10
Alexander-Arnold won five duels, making four clearances, one block and one interception. However, he was a shadow of himself going forward as he failed to deliver a single accurate cross.
Ibrahima Konate - 6.5/10
Konate had a subpar performance at the back and was also booked for a blatant foul on Nkunku.
Virgil van Dijk - 6.5/10
Van Dijk won both his duels and made four clearances and one interception as he played the role of a sweeper in Liverpool's backline.
Andrew Robertson - 7/10
Robertson won three duels, making two clearances, three tackles and one block. He also played one key pass.
Ryan Gravenberch - 6.5/10
Gravenberch had a decent game for the Reds in midfield, passing the ball with 87% accuracy and winning four duels.
Curtis Jones - 8/10
Jones won the penalty from which Salah scored to put Liverpool ahead. He then scored their second goal after a lovely pass from the Egyptian. Jones also won six duels.
Mohamed Salah - 8/10
Salah scored a penalty and assisted Jones' goal as well. He also completed all three of his dribble attempts and also won five duels in yet another blistering performance at Anfield.
Dominik Szoboszlai - 6.5/10
Szoboszlai had a decent game in midfield as he passed the ball with 82% accuracy. However, he picked up a yellow card for a foul.
Cody Gakpo - 7/10
Gakpo passed the ball with 73% accuracy, including one key pass. He also won four duels in a decent performance.
Diogo Jota - 6.5/10
Jota picked up an injury early on and was unable to continue beyond the 30th minute and was replaced.
Substitutes
Darwin Nunez - 6.5/10
Nunez had a decent first half but seemed distracted in the second period as he got involved in several tussles with Badiashile. He also received a yellow card.
Luis Diaz - 7/10
Diaz replaced Gakpo and was electric on the left flank. He completed his only dribble attempt and also won three duels.
Joe Gomez - 7/10
Gomez replaced Alexander-Arnold and helped Liverpool win the game as he won all four of his duels and also made an interception.
Alexis Mac Allister - 6.5/10
Mac Allister replaced Jones late in the game but was unable to replicate his impact. The Argentine was also booked for a foul.
