Liverpool Reclaimed Premier League Top Spot with 2-1 Victory over Chelsea
Liverpool defeated Chelsea 2-1 at Anfield to overcome a major obstacle in their Premier League title contest on Sunday, October 20, 2024.
With this significant victory, Liverpool further cemented their title credentials under new manager Arne Slot by taking back the top spot in the Premier League rankings.
Curtis Jones’ game-winning goal and Mohamed Salah’s penalty kick handed Liverpool their tenth victory in their last eleven Premier League games. The Reds managed to hold on and secure all three points, moving one point clear of Manchester City and increasing their advantage over Arsenal to four points despite Nicolas Jackson’s equalizer for Chelsea. Next weekend, the Gunners host Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium in what looks to be another crucial match.
Chelsea, who is currently seven points behind in sixth place, shown resiliency by exerting maximum pressure on Liverpool through a commanding possession-based performance. The Blues, however, were unable to take advantage of their opportunities and lost in the league for the first time since losing to Manchester City on the first weekend.
Slot’s sole loss as manager of Liverpool was against Nottingham Forest, although the Dutchman changed his strategy for the match against Chelsea. Due to their recent international commitments, slotted key South American internationals Darwin Nunez, Luis Diaz, and Alexis Mac Allister. In just his second league start of the year, Curtis Jones showed to be crucial by winning the penalty kick and scoring the game-winning goal.
Six minutes into the match, Tosin Adarabioyo’s tackle of Diogo Jota gave Chelsea a fright. Chelsea got away with it, even though the event was compared to William Saliba’s red card in Arsenal’s loss to Bournemouth. The Blues took control of the game after that, pressing Liverpool into defensive play and forcing them to give up the ball.
Liverpool’s ability to counterattack remained a threat even if Chelsea had the upper hand. Jones was set up by Salah to run into the area, and when Levi Colwill took him down, a penalty was called. With a crisp conversion, Salah scored his tenth goal against his old team. Shortly after, Cody Gakpo seemed to have increased Liverpool’s lead by two goals, but the goal was disallowed due to offside.
Nicolas Jackson’s shot against the crossbar gave Chelsea their first real chance to take the lead. After Jones went down following a challenge from Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, they believed they had equalized through penalty kicks, but VAR reversed the judgment, determining that Sanchez had touched the ball.
Jackson gave Chelsea the equalizer three minutes into the second half after latching onto a pass from Moises Caicedo and putting the ball past Caoimhin Kelleher. VAR reversed the original offside ruling, establishing that Ibrahima Konate had actually played Jackson onside.
Liverpool came back immediately, regaining the lead in just three minutes. With a precise cross from Salah, Jones converted with a flick to give Liverpool the lead again. Chelsea put a lot of effort into the game’s closing minutes, but they were unable to generate many good scoring opportunities. Liverpool managed to cling on for the victory in stoppage time as Renato Vega failed to head Cole Palmer’s free kick and Christopher Nkunku failed to meet Pedro Neto’s cross.
With this victory, Liverpool maintains their lead in the Premier League standings as they get ready for another big test the following weekend at the Emirates Stadium against Arsenal. Chelsea will have to regroup in the interim as they try to get closer to the leaders of the table.
