Chelsea’s quest to secure Champions League football will have to wait until Sunday after being beaten 5-3 by Liverpool at Anfield ahead of the post-trophy postmatch celebrations of the Premier League title winners. Christian Pulisic has revived his team from the bench with a goal and an assist, but the Blues still need a point against the Wolverhampton Wanderers in their final game if they want to have a place in the top four.
positives
Chelsea got off to a good start despite going 3-1 down the middle of the game. If they can start similarly against the Wolves and continue that way, they will have a good chance of getting a result. The threat of attack shown after Frank Lampard’s substitutions will be very encouraging.
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negative
In conceding, Chelsea set their Premier League season record just one sheet away, which is really worrying for Lampard. Only Norwich City have conceded more goals in the Premier League corners during this period, and it was easy to see why. All in all, there are so many things they need to work on the defensive before next season.
Operator rating out of 10
6 – Lampard couldn’t have done much more defensively, as he fielded three central defenders. However, he will realize that he must find a way to make them more difficult to score against. His replacements had an immediate impact, even if it wasn’t enough to get them the point they need to secure their place in the top four.
Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best, players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)
GK Kepa Arrizabalaga, 4 – There have been times when he has dealt well with any threat to his goal, but Kepa may be so undecided, as was shown towards the end, when his choice not to go out gave Virgil van Dijk the chance he should have put aside. He was surprised by a free kick on Trent Alexander-Arnold’s superb free kick.
DF Cesar Azpilicueta, 5 – His game that led to the door opener was not the best, but he fought well for everything, even though he sometimes fought to keep Sadio Mane at bay.
DF Kurt Zouma, 6 – There have been times when the Frenchman needed to be more impressive, considering his role as the central figure of Chelsea’s three shoulders. However, he covered his central defender mates well in places, particularly when Mohamed Salah came in behind.
DF Antonio Rudiger, 4 – The German struggled to face Salah at times, but he persevered and often came back well when he defended himself from the depths. His struggles were cleared up when Chelsea was defending higher on the pitch, when he was beaten in rhythm and failed to return.
MF Reece James, 6 – He was on the wrong end of the scoring line, but still scored a decent performance, including some quality balls in the box, such as the one Mason Mount headed for.
MF Mateo Kovacic, 5 – He may feel very hard about the free kick that was given against him for the second Liverpool, although his defense was shocking for the third of the Reds.
MF Jorginho, 5 – The Italian had periods in which he saw a lot of ball but was unable to do too much. He competed fairly well in the second half, although he was chosen by Andrew Robertson for the fifth.
MF Marcos Alonso, 4 – Some of his balls in the box were dangerous. However, he was not consistent enough on the defensive, as he could have put more pressure on Alexander-Arnold for the Liverpool quarter and almost given Salah a chance on a plate.
FW Willian, 6 – He was so weak when he lost possession for the opener, although it was the Brazilian’s shot that led Olivier Giroud to score Chelsea’s first game.
FW Olivier Giroud, 7 – He showed a predatory instinct to achieve his goal, having endured long periods when he saw absolutely no one on the ball.
FW Mason Mount, 5 – He got good positions and did smart races, but had no quality in his end product during the game. He was practically invisible during his time on the pitch in the second half.
substitutes
Tammy Abraham 8 – Replaces Giroud in the 59th minute and arrives on the board almost immediately; he was also a runner available in the canals.
Callum Hudson-Odoi 7 – Replaces Willian in the 59th minute and assisted Pulisic well, offering a threat behind Liverpool’s defense.
Christian Pulisic, 9 – Replaces Mount in the 59th minute and had an immediate impact, installing Abraham. Then he went and scored a well-taken goal.
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