Liverpool vs Chelsea LIVE Updates, watch live, score, analysis, highlights

This was a tight game at Anfield but Liverpool’s extra experience was the difference.

Arne Slot’s side have more control of games this season and that helped them see this one out.

Chelsea are heading in the right direction and their young side, with a few key players coming back from suspension, will win plenty of games in the coming months.

Liverpool looked like possible title contenders, while Chelsea looked more like top four contenders.

There’s a bit of a gap between the two teams but it’s not as wide as we thought.

Thanks for joining us! I’ll direct you to the links above for our analysis and reaction.

Arne Slot was very jovial with his post-match thoughts.

He was very happy with how hard his team worked, how much they ran and singled out Curtis Jones for special praise in keeping Cole Palmer quiet.

Here’s a snippet of what Slot had to say:

Curtis Jones speaking to our partners at Sky Sports:

“For a player who wants to play in this team you have to have all energy. Run up and down. Be all over the pitch with goals and assists. If you’re in center mid you’ve got to go and press, get back and help out. That is what I try and do.”

Jones asked about his goal celebration and becoming a Dad:

“I’ve been a Dad for a week. It’s the best thing ever. I’m playing with a smile on my face and a different type of joy. My little girl will be proud as well and I hope my girlfriend at home and my baby are there with a smile on their face.”

Liverpool hold on for the victory!

Arne Slot’s side just did enough and took their big chances on the day.

Chelsea pushed them all the way but it just felt like Liverpool had enough experience and nous to get over the line.

The Reds remain top of the Premier League table.

Pedro Neto cuts inside and clips a great ball to the back post which Nkunku can’t quite get on the end of.

Liverpool dropping deeper and deeper.

Chelsea are having a real go late on.

Cole Palmer whips in a free kick and Renato Veiga beats Konate in the air but heads over from inside the six yard box.

That is a big chance for Chelsea late on. He knows it. Maresca knows it. Everybody knows it.

Well, that is a lot longer than expected.

Seven minutes of stoppage time to play at Anfield.

Liverpool’s fans let out a few groans. Some hope for Chelsea late on, but they really haven’t got going after that Jones goal and all of the subs they made.

Can Liverpool see this out? It certainly looks like they can. They seem like the more experienced team, and they are.

Liverpool lead 2-1 with 10 minutes to go and they’re controlling this situation very nicely.

Chelsea appear to have run out of steam and their subs, aside from Pedro Neto, have struggled to have an impact on the game.

Is there one more chance for the Blues to grab a point? It seems more likely right now that Liverpool grab another goal on the counter late on.

Liverpool bring on Gomez and Mac Allister for Alexander-Arnold and Jones late on.

Chelsea make their fifth and final sub with 15 minutes to go.

Christopher Nkunku comes on for Noni Madueke.

It looks like Nkunku is going to play on the left with Neto going over to the right.

Luis Diaz comes on for Cody Gakpo and the latter gets a warm round of applause from the home fans.

Diaz has been excellent so far this season and Liverpool will look to release him on the counter in the final 25 minutes.

Diaz’s song rings around Anfield. The home fans are obviously very happy to see the Colombian winger come on.

Pedro Neto is seeing a lot of the ball after coming on at half time.

Trent Alexander-Arnold matches him for pace on one run and slides in perfectly to win the ball back. Gravenberch then tidies things up.

Moments later Neto crosses for Madueke who has a volley on target but it’s saved.

Then Neto wins a free kick on the edge of the box after he cuts inside and Gravenberch brings him down. Palmer’s free kick hits the wall and comes to nothing.

The Portuguese winger is everywhere.

Chelsea with a triple sub right after that goal as Veiga is on for James and Gusto switches to right back.

Badiashille is on for Tosin at center back and Fernandez is on for Lavia in midfield.

One more sub for Chelsea to make now.

What a ball from Mohamed Salah and that is a brilliant touch and finish from Curtis Jones to finish at the Kop.

Liverpool back in front right away and Jones has been sensational. The local lad punches the air and taps the badge on his shirt.

Jones has won two penalty kicks, one of which stood, and scored a goal. He’s been everywhere in midfield.

Anfield is rocking. What a game!

Nicolas Jackson is played in by Caicedo and finishes really well... but the offside flag is up.

Hang on a minute. VAR is having a look and Konate’s left foot is playing Jackson onside. The goal is given. Chelsea’s players go wild in front of the away fans.

With a few minutes of the restart, Chelsea are level. Game on!

Half time switch for Chelsea and Pedro Neto is on for Jadon Sancho.

Sancho was a bit quiet but it looks like Maresca fancies the sheer pace of Neto in-behind Alexander-Arnold.

A positive sub from Chelsea, even though it’s a bit harsh on Sancho. I thought he did okay in that first half.

Chelsea are behind, yes, but there was plenty in that first half for them to be happy about.

Enzo Maresca’s side have had 18 touches in Liverpool’s penalty box, seven more than Liverpool have had in theirs.

Here are a few more key stats:

Liverpool vs Chelsea stats

Expected goals: Liverpool 1.03 vs Chelsea 0.23

Mohamed Salah’s penalty kick has Liverpool ahead but it has been a pretty even game at Anfield.

Chelsea have made some poor decisions at the back but going forward they look dangerous with Madueke and Sancho causing problems out wide.

There is something in this for Chelsea if they can be more composed defensively.

As for Liverpool, well, it has hardly been their best 45 minutes but they’ve worked really hard to force Chelsea into making mistakes.

As it stands, Liverpool sit top of the Premier League table...

Chelsea once again get plenty of joy by playing it long to Madueke and he tees up Palmer just inside the box.

Cole Palmer has a lot of time and opens up his body before curling it towards the far corner, but he was just leaning back and the ball flies over the bar.

Palmer can’t believe it. For a player of his quality, and in his form, you would’ve expected that to hit the back of the net.

Enzo Maresca can’t believe it either as the camera pans to him on the sidelines.

Chelsea have to get the ball to Madueke on the right wing as much as possible.

A penalty kick is awarded to Liverpool for a foul by Robert Sanchez on Curtis Jones.

VAR asks the referee to go to the monitor. No penalty kick the decision as Robert Sanchez kicked the ball just before he took out Curtis Jones.

Correct call but Sanchez lucky to get away with that clumsy challenge.

Nicolas Jackson has gone down holding his back.

He has been struggling with it for a little bit but has gone down to get treatment.

For now Jackson is back on but Chelsea do have Christopher Nkunku on the bench.

Pedro Neto, Enzo Fernandez and Joao Felix are also on the Chelsea bench and surely we will see that quartet in the second half, as we have done in most game this season as Chelsea push for a goal.

Not a bad few players to bring on to impact a game...

Chelsea are still in this and look dangerous when they play direct early.

This time Jackson is played in down the right side of the box and from a tight angle his powerful shot clips the outside of the post.

Kelleher had it covered but Chelsea will be happy enough with this first half, the penalty kick aside.

If the Blues can keep it at 1-0 at half time they will fancy their chances of grabbing a point.

Sanchez’s poor clearance allows Liverpool to get the ball back and Salah is in.

He squares to Gakpo who slides in to score at the back post... but the offside flag is up.

It’s the correct call. Salah just strayed offside.

Anfield is rocking now and Chelsea are creaking at the back. They need half time to come to settle themselves down.

Diogo Jota has tried to recover from that whack he took from Tosin early on but he can’t continue.

Tosin landed heavily on Jota and he couldn’t shake it off.

Darwin Nunez is on for Liverpool and cue a loud roar and chants of his name from all around Anfield. This seems like the kind of game where Nunez will thrive.

The tempo is up, the crowd are lively and Liverpool are having a real go at Chelsea now.

If Liverpool can get a second goal before half time then it’s probably curtains for Chelsea.

No doubt at all about that one! Mohamed Salah sends Sanchez the wrong way and slams the penalty kick home. Head down. No messing. Have it.

Salah then fires an imaginary bow into the stands as is customary with his new goal celebration.

Liverpool lead 1-0. That is a bit harsh on Chelsea but Colwill just lost his head at a key moment and his dangling leg gave Salah the chance to score, which he duly took.

Penalty to Liverpool. Levi Colwill kicks Curtis Jones quite clearly.

The Chelsea defender can’t believe it but that is a penalty. A shot deflected straight to Jones and Colwill lunged in and caught him.

Salah is about to step up...

There is a chance at one end as Palmer’s shot is blocked after great work from Madueke down the right.

At the other end Salah goes down in the box under a challenge from Colwill but there is no direct contact there.

Salah has gone down expecting the contact and looking for a penalty kick. Bit of a surprise there’s no yellow for simulation for Salah there.

Great open game.

Chelsea are looking very composed and they are dominating possession, with over 60 percent of the ball.

Reece James and Malo Gusto are causing Liverpool plenty of problems as they’re pushing high and pinning back Salah and Gakpo.

James is whipping in crosses and Liverpool don’t look that comfortable defending them.

Maresca will be the happier of the two shaven-headed managers. So far.

Cole Palmer is drifting over to support Noni Madueke on the right and it is causing Liverpool some problems.

Andy Robertson does not look comfortable going up against Madueke and Palmer is buzzing around too.

Sancho and Gusto are playing well on the other flank too. Great battles between these talented Chelsea wingers and the vastly experienced Liverpool full backs.

Well then, the referee has a decision to make and it’s a yellow card for Tosin.

Salah plays a long ball forward and Jota is hauled down by Tosin as he tries to run clear.

There are covering Chelsea defenders which saves Tosin from getting a red card a la Saliba against Bournemouth. Yellow card is the correct call.

One ball over the top almost caught out Chelsea.

Jota is back on the pitch after receiving some treatment but doesn’t look comfortable.

Okay, we know this isn’t Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool but the high pressing is exquisite early on.

Liverpool are setting traps for Chelsea to play in to. We know Chelsea love to play out from the back and Liverpool are letting them do it, then pouncing.

Risky from Chelsea, but this is how they play under Maresca and they’ve got out a few times and been able to play forward quickly.

What a magnificent sight this is.

We are off and running at Anfield as we have red against blue. Liverpool against Chelsea.

The pitch looks absolutely immaculate. Perfect for a game between two teams who love to keep the ball and be creative on it.

Chelsea have started well and don’t look overawed by the occasion as they’re stroking it about nicely. Szoboszlai is pushing high centrally under Jota.

There will be plenty of great matchups across the pitch in this game, but here are a few to keep a very close eye on:

Trent Alexander-Arnold vs Jadon Sancho - Can Sancho get behind TAA as the Liverpool right back is given more license to roam into midfield under Arne Slot?

Mohamed Salah vs Malo Gusto - The Egyptian King has been superb this season and Malo Gusto has switched from right back to left back. His job is to stop Salah getting close to Chelsea’s box and Gusto is a very good one-on-one defender.

Virgil van Dijk vs Nicolas Jackson - We know VVD is a colossal figure but Jackson’s raw pace and ability to run directly at Liverpool’s defense will unnerve them. Jackson will link up with Palmer and VVD has to watch over his shoulder.

Ryan Gravenberch vs Cole Palmer - The Dutch midfielder has been key to dictating the tempo of Liverpool early in the season but Chelsea will try to crowd him out. Caicedo and Lavia are very physical but Palmer will be tasked with getting on the ball in front of Gravenberch and stopping him from getting it.

Chelsea defender Malo Gusto, who looks like he’s playing at left back today, is pretty confident ahead of this game.

Gusto will be going up against Mohamed Salah and that head-to-head is going to be pivotal in determining the outcome of this game. Gusto presses high and will force Salah back a little but the 21-year-old is going to have to have a heck of a game.

The French defender spoke about how tough it is to play at Liverpool but is fully focused on victory for Chelsea.

Here he is speaking to our partners in the UK at Sky Sports before the game.

Well, well, well. Reece James is not only back in the Chelsea squad after injury, he is starting at right back and is wearing the armband as skipper.

Enzo Maresca has said it was “quite easy” to start with James after he came through training well in the last two weeks. Maresca said he hopes James can now stay fit and build back to his best form.

James starting at right back means Malo Gusto has gone to left back as he replaces the injured Marc Cucurella, while Tosin is in for the suspended Wesley Fofana.

Romeo Lavia starts in central midfield alongside Moises Caicedo in a very defensive setup, with Enzo Fernandez dropped to the bench.

The forward quartet of Sancho, Palmer, Madueke and Jackson start together once again.

Chelsea starting lineup

Sanchez; James, Tosin, Colwill, Gusto; Lavia, Caicedo; Madueke, Palmer, Sancho; Jackson

The Liverpool team news has just arrived and with Alisson out injured, Kelleher starts in goal once again after overcoming a sickness bug. This is a big day for the young Irish goalkeeper.

In midfield Curtis Jones, Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch start with Alexis Mac Allister on the bench, while Cody Gakpo starts on the left ahead of Luis Diaz.

Both Mac Allister and Diaz were involved in World Cup qualifiers for Argentina and Colombia respectively in midweek and both are on the bench after a lot of travelling.

Liverpool starting lineup

Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Szoboszlai, Gravenberch, Jones; Salah, Jota, Gakpo

Hello and welcome to our live blog for Liverpool against Chelsea!

What a lovely way to spend a Sunday together, as two Premier League giants show off their new-look tactics in what should be an intriguing game at a blustery Anfield.

One thing is certain: we will know a lot more about both of these teams at the end of this game, as both Chelsea and Liverpool have had really positive starts to the season but the fixture list has been kind to them in the opening months.

Chelsea sit on 14 points from seven games as their only defeat was on the opening weekend to Manchester City, while Liverpool are on 18 points.

Ahead of this game the Pro Soccer Talk crew got together to preview this game and we shared our score predictions too.

With some key defensive absentees for Chelsea, there’s no doubting Liverpool are the favorites.

But this young Chelsea side have looked fearless in recent weeks and with their talented attackers they are more than capable of causing Liverpool’s solid defensive unit plenty of problems.

Here’s our preview and score picks...