Chelsea ended their six-match Premier League losing streak after fighting to a 1-1 draw against Liverpool at Anfield, where frustration among the home supporters was evident throughout the contest.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot faced criticism from fans after replacing teenage winger Rio Ngumoha, with boos echoing around the stadium as the Reds missed an opportunity to virtually confirm Champions League qualification.
Although Liverpool may still seal a top-five finish before next Friday’s trip to Aston Villa, the reigning 2024-25 champions were left disappointed again against an improving Chelsea side.
Even without Mohamed Salah, Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike, Liverpool began brightly and took the lead after six minutes when Ryan Gravenberch curled a finish beyond Filip Jorgensen following a pass from Ngumoha.
Virgil van Dijk later missed a strong opportunity by directing his effort over the bar before Chelsea gained more control, forcing Giorgi Mamardashvili into action to deny Marc Cucurella.
Chelsea equalised 10 minutes before the interval when Enzo Fernandez delivered a deep free-kick that travelled untouched through the Liverpool box and bounced in off the post. Although Wesley Fofana appeared to claim a touch, the goal was credited to the Argentine.
The visitors believed they had gone ahead early in the second half after Cole Palmer converted from close range, but the effort was disallowed because of an offside involving Cucurella during the buildup.
Liverpool also had a goal ruled out shortly afterwards, as Curtis Jones saw his finish cancelled out following an offside against Cody Gakpo, who had headed the ball back into the danger area.
Dominik Szoboszlai was denied by another impressive save from Jorgensen before later striking the post with a long-range attempt. Those moments came either side of Ngumoha’s controversial substitution for Alexander Isak, while Van Dijk also hit the crossbar with Liverpool’s final significant chance.
Further boos followed at full-time as pressure continued to mount on Slot, while Chelsea missed an opportunity to strengthen their push for a top-six finish, which could still result in Champions League qualification if Aston Villa win the Europa League and finish fifth.
Data Debrief: Chances at a premium as Liverpool let lead slip
The match produced only 14 shots in total, with Liverpool managing eight and Chelsea six. Liverpool narrowly led the expected goals (xG) contest, recording 0.51 compared to Chelsea’s 0.47.
The only Premier League fixture with fewer attempts this season was Sunderland against Newcastle United in December, where just 11 shots were registered.
Ngumoha’s assist for Gravenberch marked the 55th goal either scored or assisted by a teenager in the Premier League this season — the highest total in a single campaign since 2006-07, when there were 58. He also completed four of his five dribbles successfully, both the best figures for Liverpool in the game.
However, Liverpool surrendered more points from a winning position at Anfield, taking their total to nine this season — their worst home tally in a single campaign since 2015-16, when they dropped 14.
Chelsea avoided equalling the longest losing streak in their league history, described as “seven in a row in 1952”, though their current seven-match winless Premier League run (D1 L6) remains their worst sequence since May 2023.
