The Reds returned to their usual winning ways with a convincing 5-3 victory over Chelsea FC in what was the Premier League champions’ last home fixture of the season. Despite looking shaky at the back in the final third of the game, the Reds held on to secure a deserved victory against Frank Lampard’s side.
Early chances in the game fell the visitor’s way, however, were not enough to trouble the Liverpool FC back four or Alisson. Mason Mount’s header off a Reece James delivery into the box went flying over the crossbar.
The Reds opened their account through the returning Naby Keita, who robbed Willian of the ball before striking the ball into the roof of the net to give his side the lead heading into the first drinks break of the game.
A foul on Sadio Mane by Mateo Kovacic was a topic of a heated discussion on the field between the opposing players and referee Andre Marriner. The Croatian’s tackle on Mane was believed to be a fair one by his Chelsea FC teammates, however, Marriner stuck to his ruling.
Trent Alexander Arnold’s resulting free-kick was an absolute peach of a goal, with the fullback’s curling effort unable to be denied by Kepa. A third goal for the Reds soon came through a strike from Gini Wijnaldum, who was left unmarked in the Chelsea FC box following Liverpool FC’s corner.
Frenchman Olivier Giroud did manage to pull one back on the brink of half time. The 33-year old scored from point black range following a rebound that fell his way. The goal gave the visitor’s a tiny glimmer of hope to stage a comeback into the second half.
However, it was Liverpool FC who got on the scoresheet once again, this time through Roberto Firmino. The Brazilian scored his first league goal at Anfield this season, heading a majestic Trent Alexander Arnold cross into the net.
Frank Lampard chose to make a triple change following the Reds’ fourth goal of the night. The Chelsea FC boss brought on a completely different attacking trio, replacing the one that had started the match. And this decision of Lampard’s turned out to be a tactical genius on part of the Blues manager.
Christian Pulisic instantly became a menace for the Liverpool FC defenders upon coming off the bench. The American made a spectacular run past the Reds’ backline, nutmegging Joe Gomez and squaring the ball for Tammy Abraham. The English striker coolly slotted the ball past Alisson to reduce Liverpool FC’s lead to two goals.
A while later, Pulisic got to the end of a cross from fellow substitute Callum Hudson Odoi, before making a sharp turn and rifling his shot into the net, giving Alisson no chance to get his hands on the shot.
The visitors did look very much back in the game and a fourth goal for the Blues was not looking unlikely considering their passage of play following the triple substitution.
However, Jurgen Klopp’s side put the game beyond Chelsea FC’s reach when Alex Oxlade Chamberlain scored in the 84th minute. A fine run down the left flank by Andy Robertson led to the Scottish international crossing the ball into the box which was turned in by Chamberlain.
MATCH STATS
SCORE: 5-3
Possession: Liverpool FC – 50% Chelsea FC- 50%
Yellow Cards: Liverpool FC – 1 Chelsea FC – 0
Shots: Liverpool FC – 11 Chelsea FC – 10
Offsides: Liverpool FC –0 Chelsea FC – 3
