Match report and highlights as Chelsea originated from behind to draw with Liverpool as debutant Axel Disasi’s equaliser counteracts Luis Diaz’s opener in an action-packed very first half; Mohamed Salah and Ben Chilwell had first-half objectives dismissed by VAR for minimal offsides
Chelsea started the Mauricio Pochettino age with a 1-1 draw versus Liverpool in a hard-fought encounter at Stamford Bridge on the opening weekend of the Premier League.
Liverpool were dealt an early blow prior to coming to Stamford Bridge after Moises Caicedo appeared to turn them down in favour of Chelsea in spite of concurring a British record £111m transfer with Brighton for the midfielder on Friday. Neither Jurgen Klopp nor Pochettino had the ability to supply an update after the video game.
It was Liverpool that struck initially on Sunday as Luis Diaz ghosted in at the back post to transform Mohamed Salah’s fine through ball after a mix-up in the Chelsea defence in the 18th minute. Chelsea equalised through debutant protector Axel Disasi – among 4 for the new-look Blues – from close-range after a 37th-minute corner.
Salah and Ben Chilwell both had objectives dismissed by the VAR for tight offsides in an action-packed very first half in which the Liverpool forward struck the bar. Had Chelsea been more medical though Pochettino might have been taking home all 3 points in his very first trip as Blues employer.
How the Poch age started at the Bridge
All the talk leading up to this video game had actually had to do with the transfer fight for Caicedo. As quickly as the action began it ended up being clear why both groups are so going to toss such huge amounts at Brighton for the 21-year-old with each defence exposed early on by an absence of a midfield protector.
Liverpool’s attack-minded side took control of the video game and Salah struck the bar with a right-footed effort from around the edge of package as Pochettino’s rather unknown back line – 3 of which were debutants, consisting of goalkeeper Robert Sanchez had a hard time early on.
Alexis Mac Allister was pulling the strings in the holding function and he discovered Salah down the right to tee up Diaz for Liverpool’s opener after 18 minutes as he rounded off the Egypt forward’s low cross at the back post after a mix-up in between Disasi and Reece James.
Salah believed he had actually doubled Liverpool’s lead with half an hour pursued Trent Alexander-Arnold put him through on objective up until VAR chalked it off for offside.
Chelsea were offered a brand-new lease of life after the objective was prohibited and equalised through Disasi as he rushed the ball over the line after Chilwell headed the ball back into package following a corner. Nicolas Jackson might – and most likely must – have actually put Chelsea in front right before the break however skied James’ low changeover the bar.
Liverpool had appeals for a charge refused by the referee after the ball struck the arm of Jackson in package early in the 2nd half. VAR took a long appearance back at the event however the Chelsea striker was offered the advantage of the doubt with his arm embeded to his body.
Alisson concerned the rescue for Liverpool as he produced 2 huge stops to reject Chilwell and Jackson in the 2nd half. The video game ended up being extended as both sides searched for the killer blow however neither Chelsea nor Liverpool appeared to have the physical fitness levels to keep the high-octane pace of the very first half
The intro of the replacements stimulated the video game back into life in blockage time as the fresh legs injected energy into the contest. Darwin Nunez initially seeing a deflected effort go simply large of the Chelsea post prior to Alisson needed to utilize his big frame to reveal Mykhailo Mudryk large when through on objective.
Pochettino received a rapturous applause after indications of pledge in his very first video game following a headache very first season for the Todd Boehly-Clearlake Capital task. Liverpool stay deadly offensively however should deal with the absence of balance in midfield prior to the close of the transfer window if they are to contend at the top of the table.
Klopp: We assisted Chelsea return in the video game
Liverpool employer Jurgen Klopp felt his side enabled Chelsea back into the video game after making a strong start at Stamford Bridge.
Liverpool supervisor Jurgen Klopp informed Sky Sports:
“The start was quite persuading, we scored 2 fantastic objectives, one was prohibited for an offside.
“We opened the door for Chelsea, we lost the ball in minutes where it was hard to get ready for it. It provided the video game a various instructions so we were not in control of the video game.
“The 2nd half was more open and more possibilities for Chelsea however we appeared. It was actually extreme for both groups and it’s a point at Chelsea.
“From my viewpoint it appeared like we assisted Chelsea return in the video game.
“Our protective issues [on Sunday] had absolutely nothing to do with attributes of the midfielders, they are a bit more offending however all of these kids can do what we desire them to do.
“We were unfathomable as a development and provided the half areas away. It’s actually okay, [Sunday] didn’t choose where our season will go. let’s be positive, this group should have a lot faith and I am actually anticipating the season.”
Poch: We require to grow every day
Chelsea employer Mauricio Pochettino mored than happy to begin his reign with a hard-fought draw versus Liverpool, however insists he is still aiming to enhance his team.
Chelsea employer Mauricio Pochettino speaking with Sky Sports:
“I believe we was worthy of a bit more total. We feel happy, however at the exact same time dissatisfied since we wished to win and we was worthy of to win, however it is just the start.
“We have actually developed a great method to work here which is essential. It has to do with belief and about work and to rely on each other. The connection from the first day has actually been great.
“The fans were constantly with us. Even in the hard minute they existed, they never ever quit and constantly thought in the group and the group felt the energy from the crowd.
“It was hard from the start however how we grew in the video game and how we discovered the method to play and how we began to control and press Liverpool much deeper and much deeper, I am really happy about whatever.
“We require to grow every day.”
Trent: We could not maintain quick start
Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold says the gamers have actually set their aspirations high and are intending to win the league after the frustration of last season.
Liverpool full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold speaking with Sky Sports:
“I was a hard video game as Chelsea are constantly going to make it hard. They’ve made a great deal of modifications therefore we need to fit a brand-new system and they have actually attempted to make a point after last season.
“You most likely take a point at Stamford Bridge if you get used it at the start of the season. We build from this now.
“We gotten ready for them to go 4-3-3 and they established with a back 3 and made it hard for us to play, pushed high.
“I believed we played well for the very first 25 minutes however we could not keep it up for some factor.
“There then comes a time far from home where you changed it up and you take a point.”
Chilwell: I understood Disasi would score
Ben Chilwell is revealed the replay of his prohibited objective versus Liverpool and concurs with the VAR choice to not let it stand.
Chelsea full-back Ben Chilwell informed Sky Sports:
“In the very first half an hour, we weren’t actually up to it. They were absolutely the much better side.
“When their 2nd objective entered and it was prohibited we got a little bit of an increase. Our self-confidence began to come and we began to play how the supervisor desires us to bet the remainder of the video game.
“We did set pieces [Saturday] as you do the day prior to a video game, so I increased to him and informed him he would score [on Sunday]. We manifested it.”
What’s next?
Chelsea see West Ham next Sunday August 20 live on Sky Sports; start 4.30pm. Liverpool, on the other hand, host Bournemouth at Anfield the previous day at 3pm.
