Conor Bradley scored and assisted twice as Liverpool battered Chelsea 4-1 to extend their lead at the top of the table
In their last seven meetings, Liverpool and Chelsea have produced seven stalemates. Two of those were in 120 minutes of football each, with Liverpool going on to beat the Blues on penalties in the 2022 EFL Cup final (11-10) and the 2022 FA Cup final (6-5).
Off the back of a convincing FA Cup fourth round win over Norwich City on Sunday, attention turned back to the Premier League as Liverpool looked to increase their advantage to five points at the top of the table.
Despite both Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson back from their injuries, Jurgen Klopp opted for Conor Bradley at right-back and Joe Gomez at left-back after impressive recent performances.
With one eye on Arsenal at the weekend, Liverpool knew they had to do the business against Mauricio Pochettino’s side at Anfield. And boy, they did.
It was an electric start at Anfield which saw Darwin Nunez hit the woodwork not once, not twice, not thrice, but four times throughout the game (a new Premier League record).
Though it wouldn’t be the Uruguayan to unlock Chelsea, but Diogo Jota instead. After carrying the ball into the box courtesy of Conor Bradley’s pass, Jota coolly finished past the ‘keeper to give the Reds a 1-0 lead.
The Northern Ireland international grabbed the assist for the first goal, and did even better for the second one as he scored his debut goal for the Reds. A superb Liverpool move resulted in Luis Diaz’s pass out wide to Bradley, who finished with a strike across goal into the bottom far corner.
An opportunity to go three goals up before half-time was presented to Darwin Nunez via a penalty kick after Jota was brought down – but Nunez would only find the post from 12 yards.
A lucky escape for Chelsea heading into the interval, but the luck would render void as Dominik Szoboszlai added Liverpool’s third of the evening after, yes, of course, Conor Bradley’s cross from the right-hand side.
The visitors were able to pull one back through summer signing Christopher Nkunku, who scored his first Chelsea goal with a neat finish in off of the post. Take notes, Darwin.
An almost-perfect Anfield night was capped off with Nunez’s well-worked cross for Luis Diaz to poke home, restoring Liverpool’s three-goal lead. A 4-1 demolition of Chelsea moved the Reds five points clear, albeit Manchester City with a game in hand.
The match provided a preview to the 2024 EFL Cup final between Liverpool and Chelsea at Wembley. Liverpool the much better side this season, with Chelsea lying in the middle of the table once again.
It’s a visit to the Capital for Jurgen Klopp’s side next as they face Arsenal at the Emirates for the second time in 2024, this time in the Premier League. With Manchester City not playing until Monday night – it presents an opportunity for Liverpool to go eight points clear at the top.
Liverpool team: Alisson, Bradley (Alexander-Arnold 68), Konate, Van Dijk, Gomez (Robertson 69), Szoboszlai (Elliott 69), Mac Allister, Jones (Clark 83), Diaz, Jota (Gakpo 68), Nunez.
Chelsea team: Petrovic, Disasi, Silva, Badiashile, Chilwell (Gusto 46), Caicedo (Chukwuemeka 66), Fernandez, Madueke (Mudryk 46), Gallagher (Nkunku 46), Sterling, Palmer (Casadei 85).
Read More Liverpool Coverage:
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- Bournemouth 0-4 Liverpool: Reds pick Cherries apart to extend lead at the top
- Liverpool 2-1 Fulham: Reds Score Another Comeback Win In Opening Leg
- Arsenal 0-2 Liverpool: Dazzling Diaz Seals FA Cup Win In The Capital