Chelsea 1-1 Liverpool: Reds Return With Stamford Bridge Stalemate

Liverpool returned to action on Sunday afternoon with a 1-1 draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

After a few months break, Liverpool, bolstered with midfield additions Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai, returned to Premier League action as they visited Chelsea on match-day 1.

Liverpool and Chelsea have been locked in an unfavourable transfer saga since Thursday evening, over the transfer of Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Moises Caicedo.

Although the Reds had agreed a £111million fee with the Seagulls, it appears more likely that the player will move to Stamford Bridge for a fee of £115million.

With more additions still expected to Liverpool’s squad before the transfer window ends, Jurgen Klopp had the job of preparing a team that was capable of putting in a performance to be optimistic about ahead of 2023/24.

New Reds captain Virgil van Dijk started in the back-line alongside new vice-captain, Trent Alexander-Arnold. Cody Gakpo was moved into midfield alongside Mac Allister and Szoboszlai.

One guest spotted at Stamford Bridge was Liverpool’s principal owner, John W. Henry, alongside his wife Linda Pizzuti Henry. It had been reported that high profile Fenway Sports Group (FSG) officials had flown into London during the Caicedo transfer saga.

Liverpool started the game energetic and well on top. Mohamed Salah hit the crossbar in the opening stages from a curling, right-footed effort.

It would be the Egyptian to assist Luis Diaz in a superb Liverpool move to give the visitors the lead. Mac Allister threaded the ball through the centre of the park to Salah, whose visionary gift to Diaz, as the Colombian toe-poked past Robert Sanchez in the Chelsea goal.

Salah thought he had doubled Liverpool’s lead at the Bridge, but VAR would have something to say about it, as the officials deemed Salah to be offside as he received the ball.

Not making chances count eventually cost Liverpool as new-signing Axel Disasi levelled the game for Chelsea as he found a way to sneak the ball home. Just minutes later, Liverpool were cut through like butter as Ben Chilwell believed he gave his side the lead. VAR was Liverpool’s saviour this time around, with the verdict of offside for Chilwell.

Despite cameos for Ben Doak, Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott and Darwin Nunez in the second half, Liverpool were reluctantly held to just a point at Stamford Bridge. A well-earned point, some may say, given the unfinished nature of the squad.

Trent Alexander-Arnold said post match: “Our aim and ambition is to go and win the league. We’re not going to be shy about that and nor should we.”

It’s clear that Liverpool are seriously lacking a defensive midfielder. With the odds slimming of signing either Moises Caicedo or Romeo Lavia, who both look set for Chelsea, Liverpool will be forced to scour the market for alternatives.

They need a player akin to that of Fabinho during the majority of his Liverpool years before he seemingly lost his legs last season. With an additional £40million from selling the Brazilian midfielder and the £111million agreement that was already in place for Caicedo — Liverpool have got money to spend, and they must.

Next up for the Reds is hosting the Cherries at Anfield as they take on Bournemouth. The expanded Anfield Road stand is not yet ready for full action, with completion still weeks away.

Who knows, Liverpool may have a new midfielder to show off by next Saturday as well.

Chelsea team: Sanchez, Disasi, Silva, Colwill, James (Gusto 76), Fernandez, Gallagher, Chilwell (Ugochukwu 90), Sterling (Mudryk 81), Chukwuemeka (Maatsen 81), Jackson.

Liverpool team: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Gakpo (Jones 66), Salah (Elliott 77), Jota (Nunez 66), Diaz (Doak 77).

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Chelsea 1-1 Liverpool: Reds Return With Stamford Bridge Stalemate

ByJim Nichol-Turner