By Okafor Joseph Afam
October 20, 2024

Liverpool extended their winning streak with a thrilling 2-1 victory over Chelsea at Anfield. Mohamed Salah opened the scoring with a 29th-minute penalty before Nicolas Jackson brought Chelsea level just three minutes after the break. However, Curtis Jones secured all three points for Liverpool with his goal in the 51st minute.

Liverpool, now sitting at the top of the Premier League table, capitalized on their chances and defensive organization. Chelsea, on the other hand, had their moments but struggled to finish, leaving them in sixth place, seven points behind the leaders.

Here are the player ratings from an exhilarating match:

Liverpool Player Ratings

Alisson Becker – 7/10
Made several crucial saves to keep Liverpool in the game, particularly after Chelsea’s equalizer. His calmness under pressure was pivotal.

Ibrahima Konaté – 8/10
Strong and composed at the back, Konaté dominated aerial duels and played a key role in shutting down Chelsea’s attacking threats.

Virgil van Dijk – 7/10
The Dutchman’s leadership in defense was vital. Though not overly tested, his positioning and ability to read the game helped keep Chelsea at bay.

Andrew Robertson – 6.5/10
Worked tirelessly on the left flank, both defensively and in support of attacks, but was caught out a couple of times by Chelsea’s quick counterattacks.

Trent Alexander-Arnold – 7/10
His delivery was key in pushing Liverpool forward, creating several dangerous opportunities from set-pieces and open play.

Curtis Jones – 9/10 (MOTM)
Jones was the standout performer, not only scoring the winning goal but also controlling the midfield. His energy and composure underlined his importance to Klopp’s side.

Dominik Szoboszlai – 8/10
Relentless in pressing and transitioning from defense to attack. His vision and passing helped Liverpool maintain control in the middle of the park.

Alexis Mac Allister – 7/10
A solid performance, marked by smart passing and defensive work. He linked play effectively and kept the team ticking over in possession.

Mohamed Salah – 7.5/10
Scored the penalty with his usual precision and was a constant threat on the right. His pace and movement gave Chelsea’s defense a lot to think about.

Darwin Núñez – 7/10
Worked hard to stretch Chelsea’s defense and was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet. His pressing and off-the-ball movement caused problems.

Luis Díaz – 6.5/10
Showed flashes of brilliance with his dribbling, but his final product was lacking. Still a threat down the left but faded as the game went on.

Chelsea Player Ratings

Robert Sánchez – 6/10
The Chelsea goalkeeper did well to save a few attempts but could do little to prevent the goals.

Tosin Adarabioyo – 5/10
Struggled with the pace of Liverpool’s attack. Booked early on, and his decision-making was shaky at times.

Thiago Silva – 6.5/10
Chelsea’s veteran defender kept things tight at the back for large periods but found it difficult to keep up with the pace of Liverpool’s forwards.

Ben Chilwell – 6/10
Offered an outlet going forward but was defensively vulnerable. He found himself caught out of position several times.

Reece James – 7/10
One of Chelsea’s better performers, James was solid defensively and provided a threat going forward, though his efforts were in vain.

Enzo Fernández – 6/10
Largely anonymous throughout the match. Failed to stamp his authority on the game and was overrun by Liverpool’s dynamic midfield.

Gabri Veiga – 5.5/10
Struggled to get involved in the game, as Liverpool’s midfield pressed relentlessly. He was eventually substituted after a lackluster display.

Cole Palmer – 5/10
Palmer had a game to forget. Unable to influence the match, his passing was off, and he offered little in terms of creativity.

Nicolas Jackson – 7/10
Jackson was a bright spark for Chelsea, scoring the equalizer and working hard throughout. However, he lacked support from the rest of the team.

Raheem Sterling – 6.5/10
Showed glimpses of his pace and creativity but was well-marshalled by Liverpool’s defense. Couldn’t find the space to make a real impact.

Mykhailo Mudryk – 6/10
Mudryk’s pace caused some problems for Liverpool’s defense, but he lacked the end product and often made the wrong decision in crucial moments.

Substitutes

Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool) – 7/10
Came on and immediately made an impact, helping to shore up Liverpool’s midfield in the dying moments.

Christopher Nkunku (Chelsea) – 6/10
Offered some energy off the bench but failed to change the outcome of the match.

Final Thoughts
Liverpool deserved the win, with Curtis Jones shining in midfield and Salah providing a clinical finish from the spot. Chelsea will need to regroup after this defeat and find more consistency if they are to challenge the top sides this season.