LONDON – The Chelsea vs Liverpool punters’ ratings were a lot of fun as the two Big Six teams both went to Stamford Bridge.
A 1-1 draw A strong start from Liverpool saw Luis Diaz score but Axel Disassi equalized and both teams had chances to win in the west London sunshine.
We give each player below 10 marks as the two Premier League heavyweights put in a good show going forward, but their limitations, particularly in defensive midfield, were evident.
Chelsea Player Ratings (3-5-2)
Disasi equalized for Chelsea against Liverpool
Axel Disassi scored his first Premier League goal to give Chelsea a lifeline against Liverpool in the first half at Stamford Bridge.
Robert Sanchez: 6 – Not much to do but delivery was good. As always. A corner was claimed well late on to start a counter, where Chelsea won it.
Axel Disasi: 7 – Scored a Premier League debut and was very solid defensively. Good start.
Thiago Silva: 7 – Always in perfect condition and excellent at 38.
Levi Colville: 6 – Had a tough time against Mohamed Salah in the first half but was better in the second half. Distribution should be improved.
Reese James: 7.5 – Such attacking power and this wing-back role allows him to stay forward for long periods. It looked like he had a little knock in the second half.
Enzo Fernandez: 8 – Combines well with James and Sterling. His class on the ball is evident and he is the heartbeat of this Chelsea team.
Conor Gallagher: 6 – Worked hard in a deep central midfield role but could not impact the game.
Corny Chukwuemega: 6 – Some nice touches as he gets onto the ball and the play continues.
Ben Chilwell: 7 – Assist on Tisasi’s goal, who thought he had a goal but was ruled out for offside. Amazing energy and progressed well.
Raheem Sterling: 7 – Works hard and combines well with James, but the final pass or cross doesn’t happen for him.
Nicholas Jackson: 6 – See above. Had a lot of good runs in behind Liverpool’s defense but missed a great chance from six yards in the first half. Worked really hard and his clever work on the counter almost led to a late, late winner.
Disabled people
I want Malo (76′ on for James): 6 – Made a defensive tackle at right back.
Michael Mudryk (81′ on for Sterling): 5 – Couldn’t make an impact on the game and Jackson couldn’t find a late winner.
Ian Madsen (81′ on for Chukwuemega): 6 – Worked hard but didn’t get on the ball enough.
Leslie Ukochukwu (90′ ON to Chilwell): N/A
Liverpool Player Ratings (4-3-3)
Diaz scored for Liverpool against Chelsea
Luis Diaz found Mohamed Salah’s brilliant pass as he slotted home Liverpool’s goal against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Alison: 6 – Not much to do but well suppressed Jackson’s first half effort.
Trent Alexander-Arnold: 6 – Beautiful ball forward for Salah’s disallowed goal. Engaged heavily in the beginning but faded. Did he switch off for Disasi’s goal? Klopp was angered by some of his distribution choices.
Ibrahim Konad: 6 – Caught by Jackson’s pace on a few occasions and dragged out of position when he stepped high.
Virgil Van Dyck: 6 – A brisk effort, it flies up. Defensively okay, but Jackson showed his declining speed at times.
Andy Robertson: 5 – had a rough trip. James and Sterling isolated him with a little defensive help from Kakpo in front of him.
Alexis Mac Allister: 6 – Pings a lovely ball to Salah for Diaz’s goal but then fades. Couldn’t control the pace of the game from a deeper role. Late on he miscued a simple pass by Nunez.
Dominic Sophoslai: 7 – A very impressive introduction. Lovely balance on the ball, great energy in midfield and a very good first half. is reassuring.
Cody Kakpo: 5 – Struggled to influence play from deep in midfield. Worked hard but he struggled except for one run.
Mohammed Salah: 7 – Beautiful ball to Diaz for the opening goal and a beautiful goal himself, but VAR rules it out for a slight offside. It was not happy to be subdued in the second half. Colville scored in the first half.
Diogo Jota: 5 – Really struggled to keep pace with the game in a very central role. Shocked in the first half and was dismissed early in the second half.
Luis Diaz: 7 – Takes his target well and makes some dangerous runs behind from the left.
Disabled people
Darwin Nunez (66′ on for Joda): 6 – Hits a shot.
Curtis Jones (66′ on to Kakpo): 6 – Worked hard to get to the ball and made some good runs.
Harvey Elliott (77′ on for Salah): 6 – Busy as ever and trying to get on the ball.
Ben is free (77′ on for Diaz): 6 – Did his best to sort things out defensively.