put

There was a second earlier than kick-off when the Chelsea gamers went right into a huddle, linking arms, as so many groups do. was there. However he was the one one along with his arms down by his facet.

Was it an indication of his rising frustration along with his team-mates? Not on this compelling proof. Sure, there was a flash of annoyance when Nicolas Jackson lazily stepped offside as attacked but it surely was Palmer the playmaker who drove Chelsea to this very important victory over . He linked them up.

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The England worldwide additionally, finally, claimed his first aim in 19 video games to seal the consequence. His penalty was the final kick of the match and was celebrated wildly. Not simply by him. Goalkeeper Robert Sánchez even ran the size of the pitch to affix and there was no doubting its significance.

In that second Chelsea couldn’t have been extra united and the aim felt like a launch for Palmer who stood, after the ultimate whistle, with team-mate Noni Madueke as they smilingly watched the scenes again on one of many large screens contained in the stadium.

There was additionally an exciting help for Palmer, serving to pressure an personal aim, and even a pre-assist as he performed a component in Chelsea’s opener. Speaking of stats, he ended the sport having had essentially the most photographs (5), profitable essentially the most duels (5), gaining possession essentially the most (seven), having essentially the most touches within the opposition field (seven) and making essentially the most interceptions (three).

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However the one that actually issues was the aim and that was clear from his response as he ended that unusual drought. Having scored 14 instances in 24 video games up till mid-January this was his first since then. Provided that dry spell it’s outstanding that he now has both scored or created 57 targets in 67 Premier League video games.

If he had maintained that kind from the first-half of the marketing campaign not solely would he have stored tempo with Mohamed Salah, by way of his targets and help return, however Chelsea would have secured their Champions League place by now.

All of the sudden, although, it’s emphatically of their arms. They’re fifth, and in that ultimate spot, however they’re stage with Newcastle United who faltered . Deliciously, Chelsea and Newcastle play one another subsequent Sunday whereas the ultimate away fixture for Enzo Maresca’s facet is towards Nottingham Forest – on the final day of the marketing campaign.

Enzo Maresca is again within the good books of Chelsea followers with a top-five end inside their grasp – Getty Photos/Chris Lee

Forest at the moment are three factors behind, forward of their Monday evening sport away to Crystal Palace, their further fixture, and stage with Aston Villa. In order that race might nicely go right down to the wire when, not so way back, Chelsea seemed like lacking out.

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So this was a must-win and it helped that – let’s be frank – Liverpool have been considerably on the seaside after profitable the Premier League final weekend and making six adjustments. They have been afforded a guard of honour by Chelsea – booed by the house followers – however, as soon as the sport began, the generosity largely got here from them as they suffered solely a 3rd league defeat of the season.

What may even harm Liverpool, a bit of at the least, was that two of the gamers who induced essentially the most harm to them have been ones that acquired away: they tried to signal Moisés Caicedo and Roméo Lavia.

Lavia clearly , not least along with his skill to win again the ball, whereas Caicedo impressed at right-back. Certainly it felt prefer it was no coincidence that the energy he confirmed there helped Palmer to shine.

Chelsea set the tone early on as they ran at Liverpool, catching them out. Palmer performed his half in that earlier than releasing Pedro Neto who was far too tough and fast for Kostas Tsimikas – unconvincing instead of Andy Robertson. When the cross got here in Enzo Fernández was left unmarked to take a contact earlier than calmly beating Alisson. The best way the midfielder ran onto the ball and completed was Lampard-esque and Chelsea have to see much more of this from their captain.

It was Chelsea creating the possibilities and whereas Liverpool later went on to dominate possession they have been actually not performing as they’ve achieved to take a twentieth league title again to Anfield.

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Palmer’s most eye-catching second got here as he compelled the second aim with the type of dribble that has been his trademark. Once more, Tsimikas struggled and didn’t get shut as Palmer breezed away from him and centred. It unfold panic within the Liverpool defence and, as Jackson tried to complete, Virgil van Dijk’s tried clearance struck Jarell Quansah within the midriff and rebounded into the online.

Palmer’s confidence appeared to return and he went shut after outstripping substitute Conor Bradley on the opposite flank and struck the submit from a decent angle. As soon as extra it was the type of jinking run, with tight management, that has marked him out since his transfer to Chelsea.

Van Dijk pulled a aim again, with six minutes to go, as he met a nook with a header, with Liverpool sensing they might declare an unlikely draw and there was a horrible miss by substitute Darwin Núñez.

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However as they tried to get the ball again up the pitch in harm time searching for an equaliser, Caicedo stole in and was caught by Quansah who was additionally enduring a troublesome afternoon instead of Ibrahima Konaté. Palmer drove the penalty in and ended any doubt and that aim drought.

For Liverpool, evidently, there was no harm achieved past irritating Chelsea’s rivals for Champions League qualification. Not that they may care. For Chelsea it felt nearly transformative. Their future is theirs and Palmer is again. It actually felt like he was a part of it.

07:12 PM BSTArne Slot on getting an opportunity to have a look at his squad gamers

When you take a look at how we reacted after being 2-0 down, we got here again and we by no means gave up. Our followers didn’t quit. Taking part in towards a superb group like Chelsea, you possibly can’t afford so much and that’s what we noticed right now. It’s all the time good to see some fringe gamers taking part in now with starters. Now to see them taking part in with the opposite ones, it provides us insights.

They should play these video games as a result of they’ve skilled so onerous this season. Each time they did so nicely in order that’s why I feel they deserved to play this sport. We don’t decide them solely on this sport, we decide them on daily basis on the coaching floor and within the moments that they play for us.

It’s already an enormous summer season as a result of we prolonged Virgil [van Dijk] and Mo [Salah] and for big components of the season, I don’t assume everybody anticipated that. For us to maintain them is an enormous factor. I’ve mentioned already that I’m pleased with the squad we now have. We are going to see what the summer season brings however generally it may be good to convey recent power. It has already been a superb summer season and we gained the league. Provided that we see somebody in the marketplace who can enhance us.

Arne Slot throughout Liverpool’s defeat by Chelsea – Getty Photos/Henry Nicholls

07:04 PM BSTMaresca says Chelsea defended deeper than they might have favored

As soon as once more they confirmed the explanation why they gained the Premier League, they compelled us to defend deep which we don’t need to do and was not the plan. However they’re so good they pressure you and the gamers should adapt they usually did very nicely. For the quantity of probabilities we created we deserved to win the sport.

Cole can be higher and higher in these sorts of moments in his journey.

We didn’t plan the sport to attend and to defend deep, however they confirmed how good they’re. They’re a high facet.

I’m very impressed with the gamers since day one, as a result of it isn’t straightforward to attempt to play in an aggressive means, man to man.

For positive, Chelsea has to combat for Champions League and hopefully sooner or later we are able to combat for one thing extra essential. On this second we’re there and hopefully we are able to end there.

06:54 PM BSTVan Dijk on Liverpool’s efficiency

I feel possession was fairly good, however once we didn’t have the ball the urgent wasn’t nice they usually might discover between the traces.

To concede that early is just not nice, but when we begin to play the way in which we need to play then we are able to create probabilities. There was probabilities for us to attain – ultimately they deserve the win. That’s the disappointing factor as we got here right here to win.

Clearly we tried, but it surely wasn’t nice.

The best way we skilled, the sharpness that we had, everybody was prepared for it.

We all know it was going to be powerful at instances. We might have achieved higher in the way in which we defended as a group, however we are going to analyse it tomorrow and put together for the following sport.

06:46 PM BSTCole Palmer talking about his aim drought

I felt regular. S— occurs… sorry for my language! I went three months with out scoring but it surely simply provides me extra combat and motivation to do extra for myself and for the group. Social media these days is filled with idiots, the trolls and no matter. I don’t pay any consideration to that. I’ve scored right now and I’m completely happy but it surely’s just one and I’ve acquired to maintain bettering and attempt to attain new ranges.

Getting probabilities and never scoring, it feels such as you’re letting your group down. I really feel like I’m mentally sturdy anyway. I really feel satisfaction in serving to the group and if I’m not doing that, I’m not completely happy.

At this time I felt assured, I used to be attempting issues, first time passes, taking part in ahead. When you’ve got him [Moises Caicedo] in entrance of you, it’s a dream. From the beginning of the season, he has been our greatest participant, he wins the ball again on a regular basis, he’s humble, good to everybody and everybody loves him.

Cole Palmer with Moises Caicedo – Getty Photos/Henry Nicholls

06:44 PM BSTNot an excessive amount of to fret about for Liverpool06:42 PM BSTCaicedo talking post-match

I feel we did nicely the group confirmed character. We’re completely happy that we gained this sport.

Cole he’s an incredible man. All the time prepare onerous, so completely happy for him. He helps us so much even when he didn’t rating.

He’s an excellent man and he deserves the whole lot.

06:27 PM BSTFT: Chelsea 3 Liverpool 1

Chelsea draw stage on factors with Newcastle in fourth and extra importantly they’re three away from Forest and Villa in sixth and seventh. Forest face Crystal Palace tomorrow evening.

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The house group have been good worth for the win, with the likes of Caicedo, Palmer and Lavia spectacular whereas their again 4 defended their field nicely within the face of loads of Liverpool possession.

This units up a large sport at St James’ Park subsequent weekend within the race for Champions League soccer. Powerful one to name.

Cole Palmer of Chelsea celebrates scoring his group’s third aim – Getty Photos/Shaun Botterill

06:24 PM BSTGOOOOALLL! Palmer scores a much-needed aim

That’s Chelsea over the end line. The entire group celebrates with Palmer close to the nook flag. Alisson guessed the precise means, however Palmer discovered the underside left nook. That’s his first aim in 17 video games, a run of 1,162 minutes with no aim within the Premier League.

06:23 PM BSTPENALTY CHELSEA!

Cole Palmer may have the prospect to get his aim. Caicedo jumped ahead into the Liverpool field to learn an underhit go, and Quansah was by no means getting there. Clipped the Chelsea midfield and that may be a blatant penalty. This would be the final kick of the sport.

06:22 PM BST94 minutes: Chelsea 2 Liverpool 1

Van Dijk has stayed up entrance for Liverpool who do now have the ball in Chelsea’s half at the least. Jones telegraphs a go in direction of Salah and Cucurella intercepts. The Chelsea left-back then exchanges passes with Sancho and wins a foul from Bradley within the Liverpool half.

06:20 PM BST92 minutes: Chelsea 2 Liverpool 1

Caicedo has gained some essential headers all through this sport, and he nods again to his goalkeeper once more. There are three minutes to play, but it surely seems like Chelsea have quelled any comeback.

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That was a fear although… Alisson discovering Gakpo straight off the aim kick however Cucurella defends towards Salah.

06:19 PM BST91 minutes: Chelsea 2 Liverpool 1

Chelsea have performed nicely since conceding the aim, they’ve pressed ahead and stored the ball far-off from their aim. A few good bits of play from Caicedo in midfield earlier than the referee breaks up some Chelsea possession. Play restarts, and Mac Allister fouls Gusto.

06:18 PM BST90 minutes: Chelsea 2 Liverpool 1

Good defending from Colwill on the entrance foot in to nip in entrance, after which Chelsea get a slice off luck because the ball runs off a Liverpool defender from Sancho’s dribble and out for a nook. Chelsea take it quick, however then concede an inexpensive foul.

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There can be 5 minutes of stoppage time to play.

06:15 PM BST88 minutes: Chelsea 2 Liverpool 1

Chelsea are making one other change: Enzo Fernandez is coming off, changed by Reece James. Meaning Caicedo strikes into an orthodox midfield place with James at right-back. James takes the Chelsea armband off Enzo.

06:14 PM BST86 minutes: Chelsea 2 Liverpool 1

Palmer seems to be for a direct response however his curling shot from simply outdoors the field is straight at Alisson. Good problem from Caicedo to nip in entrance of Chiesa and begin one other Chelsea assault, however Neto slices a shot miles over the bar.

06:12 PM BSTGOOOOALLL! Van Dijk pulls one again

Chelsea are in for an anxious finale now. Chelsea have seemed shaky from corners all afternoon, and Van Dijk will get a free run to the six-yard line to plant a header past Sanchez. Liverpool have a lot of expertise on the pitch and nothing to lose.

06:11 PM BST84 minutes: Chelsea 2 Liverpool 0

Liverpool with one other nook as Salah continues to hold the combat. Chelsea are usually not fairly dwelling and hosed simply but. Moments earlier, Salah nearly picked out Chiesa however the ball was simply behind the Italian.

06:09 PM BST82 minutes: Chelsea 2 Liverpool 0

Cole Palmer’s look forward to a Premier League aim goes on, however he nearly scored a superb solo effort. One other driving run into the field and he deceived Alisson by poking the ball previous the Liverpool goalkeeper at his close to submit, solely to see his effort bounce out off the far submit.

06:07 PM BST80 minutes: Chelsea 2 Liverpool 0

Massive save from Alisson to maintain Liverpool nearly nonetheless within the contest after Chelsea labored the ball throughout the field to Sancho. He went for the side-foot end into the far nook however the Liverpool goalkeeper learn it. Sanchez then comes to say a excessive ball cleanly.

06:06 PM BST78 minutes: Chelsea 2 Liverpool 0

One other warning for Chelsea: Tsimikas picks out Salah who’s free as a chicken on the again submit however his header throughout Sanchez drifts narrowly across the far submit. Romeo Lavia receives an ovation from the house crowd as he’s changed by Malo Gusto. He will get from stick from the Liverpool followers who sing “you’ll have gained the league” on the participant they nearly signed from Southampton.

06:04 PM BST76 minutes: Chelsea 2 Liverpool 0

Liverpool probing patiently across the Chelsea field, and Fernandez concedes a nook towards Bradley after the Liverpool right-back was discovered by a Salah reverse go. Chalobah heads clear. Liverpool simply can’t discover that telling go or shot, between the containers they’ve been alright within the circumstances.

06:00 PM BST73 minutes: Chelsea 2 Liverpool 0

Liverpool strain is constructing as Cucurella heads behind a Gakpo cross for a nook. Jackson going off means Chelsea have misplaced considered one of their predominant attacking retailers. Chelsea let the ball bounce from the nook however clear and break, however Jones defends nicely towards Neto.

05:58 PM BST71 minutes: Chelsea 2 Liverpool 0

Tsimikas and Jackson concerned in a desk close to the touchline however properly Simon Hooper decides towards getting concerned. Gakpo then very practically places Darwin Nunez by on aim, however Chalobah acquired a toe to the ball when it was a shoulder-to-shoulder. A Liverpool aim would arrange a nervy end. Chelsea making a sub now: Sancho on for Jackson.

Jackson was sad with being taken off. After sulking his means round half of the pitch to get again to the dug-out, he prolonged each arms on the Chelsea bench as if to say ‘why me?’ Unusual day for the striker, who had scored in each of his earlier two appearances.

05:56 PM BST68 minutes: Chelsea 2 Liverpool 0

Mac Allister and Szoboszlai are about to be launched by Slot.

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Good probability missed from Nunez! Salah with a pleasant inswinging cross from the precise however from six-yards out the ball bounces off Nunez’s head at proper angles. Horrible effort.

Endo and Elliott are the Liverpool gamers coming off.

05:54 PM BST66 minutes: Chelsea 2 Liverpool 0

Each of Chelsea’s centre-backs have made essential interventions. This time Colwill did nicely to chest the ball extensive of the submit underneath strain from Nunez. Gakpo’s inswinging cross was harmful. There may be extra menace about Liverpool going ahead now.

05:52 PM BST64 minutes: Chelsea 2 Liverpool 0

Curtis Jones did ever so nicely to win the ball with a sliding sort out within the field towards Palmer. A split-second later and that was a Chelsea penalty and the prospect to nicely and really kill this sport.

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Bradley has made a constructive distinction for Liverpool. After one other burst down the precise, Salah wins a free-kick in a capturing place with Lavia barging him over.

05:49 PM BST62 minutes: Chelsea 2 Liverpool 0

Mistake on the again from Quansah, however Jackson took the shot early and his shot from a decent angle was straight at Alisson.

Then Bradley wins a 50:50 towards Cucurella close to the Chelsea field, however Chalobah learn the tried pull-back in direction of Salah rather well to clear.

Bradley with one other cross, Liverpool nook after Colwill clears. Van Dijk wins a glancing header however there may be an excessive amount of on it.

Palmer’s simply had one other go at Jackson. This time after the striker took a shot from a decent angle as a substitute of looking for him unmarked.

05:47 PM BST59 minutes: Chelsea 2 Liverpool 0

Straight after the second Chelsea aim, Colwill is booked for a late problem on the midway line. Chelsea ought to now have this sport within the palm of their hand. Slot has made a double sub: Bradley and Nunez on for Alexander-Arnold and Jota.

05:44 PM BSTGOOOOAALLL! Chelsea double their lead by pinball within the field

Cole Palmer is the architect of the aim, skipping past Tsimikas with a driving run, earlier than drilling a low cross throughout the six-yard field along with his weaker proper foot. It seemed like Madueke was going to have a faucet in, however when the ball broke free Van Dijk hammered the ball off Quansah and it bounced into the following. Quansah personal aim.

That second Chelsea aim sums up Liverpool right now. Fairly understandably they simply don’t appear that bothered. Their followers actually aren’t, as they’ve been having a celebration within the away finish for your entire sport.

05:41 PM BST53 minutes: Chelsea 1 Liverpool 0

Chalobah booked for delaying the restart for holding Curtis Jones. Chelsea proceed to look vigorous once they have the prospect to counter-attack, however Quansah defends nicely towards Jackson.

Cole Palmer was very aggravated when Nicolas Jackson simply acquired caught offside for the third time this afternoon. Palmer reacted by throwing his arms up in disgust and shouting over to his team-mate. Jackson has been careless along with his positioning.

05:39 PM BST51 minutes: Chelsea 1 Liverpool 0

Groans from the Chelsea crowd as Madueke butchers a counter-attack with a stray go. Salah then threatens for Liverpool however Chelsea do sufficient to point out him away from aim, earlier than Van Dijk is proven a yellow card for leaving a foot in on Lavia when the ball was free. A little bit nasty that, however not sufficient pressure to be a pink.

05:37 PM BST49 minutes: Chelsea 1 Liverpool 0

The sport is see-sawing for the time being. Salah was near threading a by ball to Gakpo but it surely struck Caicedo on the heel, earlier than Chelsea break free with Neto. Jackson rolled the problem on Quansah within the field however then misplaced his footing.

05:35 PM BST47 minutes: Chelsea 1 Liverpool 0

Gakpo wins a foul from Fernandez, earlier than Palmer does the identical from Jota. Each gamers utilizing their physique to defend the ball and look forward to the contact.

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Madueke then skips by a few challenges into the field however Jackson’s scuffed shot straight at Alisson was tame.

05:32 PM BSTWe are again underneath means within the second half

Chelsea get the second half began.

05:20 PM BSTMatt’s half-time verdict

This can be a enormous probability for Chelsea this afternoon. Liverpool have been a yard off the tempo in that first half and the house facet stored taking part in by the guests’ midfield. Pedro Neto might and maybe ought to have prolonged the lead close to the top of the primary half. Enzo Maresca’s males will kick themselves in the event that they throw this away after the break.

05:20 PM BSTThere have been a lot of early targets within the final week05:17 PM BSTHT: Chelsea 1 Liverpool 0

Chelsea are price their one-goal lead. They’ve been the extra harmful of the 2 groups they usually scored an excellent group aim completed by Enzo Fernandez. Loads of possession from Liverpool in the course of the half however not sufficient leading edge. All of the whereas the lead is one there can be that fear of the champions clicking into gear, although.

Enzo Fernandez celebrates scoring Chelsea’s aim – Getty Photos/Darren Walsh

05:16 PM BST45 minutes: Chelsea 1 Liverpool 0

Cole Palmer wins a foul from Curtis Jones. Simply the one minute of added time to play.

05:14 PM BST43 minutes: Chelsea 1 Liverpool 0

Half of Stamford Bridge thought that was in: Neto skims the side-netting with a shot from the sting of the world after he was launched by Palmer. He tried to reverse the shot again to the close to submit to deceive Alisson. Then the flag goes up for offside towards Jackson with Madueke rounding Alisson for what he thought is perhaps the second aim.

05:11 PM BST41 minutes: Chelsea 1 Liverpool 0

Tenacious defending from Caicedo within the air towards Gakpo after Salah tried to scoop a cross to the again submit. Liverpool have seen loads of the ball however haven’t had a shot heading in the right direction for the reason that ninth minute.

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Van Dijk then miscues a diagonal in direction of Salah.

05:08 PM BST37 minutes: Chelsea 1 Liverpool 0

Enzo Fernandez’ chipped go in direction of Jackson is simply too heavy. The sport is meandering a contact. Chelsea pleased with their lead. Liverpool completely happy to see how the sport develops with no care on the earth. Extra aggressive urgent from Chelsea will get a cheer from the house crowd.

05:05 PM BST34 minutes: Chelsea 1 Liverpool 0

Chelsea responding after that slightly passive spell of sitting in towards Liverpool possession. Arne Slot has despatched a few of his first XI gamers out to heat up from the subs’ bench.

Right here come Liverpool once more, although. Alexander-Arnold places a cross into a superb space on the again submit and Neto heads behind for a nook.

05:02 PM BST31 minutes: Chelsea 1 Liverpool 0

Chelsea with the prospect to interrupt out on the counter-attack, and Quansah does sufficient to point out Palmer extensive on the expense of a nook. The ball pops up for Neto to hit on the volley, however his shot hits the shins of Alexander-Arnold and Chelsea have one other nook.

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Them Madueke sees a shot blocked after a harmful one-two with Cucurella earlier than Caicedo’s chipped cross skims off the highest of the bar.

The ball hits the Liverpool crossbar throughout the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and Liverpool

04:59 PM BST28 minutes: Chelsea 1 Liverpool 0

Sustained spell of possession from Liverpool, Chelsea struggling to the touch the ball. Elliott concerned in one other promising assault however Alexander-Arnold’s shot is blocked by Cucurella. The strain from the away group is rising.

04:56 PM BST25 minutes: Chelsea 1 Liverpool 0

Chelsea trying skittish when defending a large free-kick, however ultimately they clear. Liverpool preserve the ball although, with the house group funnelling again right into a 4-4-2 defensive form in their very own half. The house crowd urging them to push out. Gakpo picks out Endo with a intelligent go into the field however Chalobah made a telling sliding problem.

04:53 PM BST23 minutes: Chelsea 1 Liverpool 0

This can be a essential sport for Chelsea, however the contest does have an finish of season really feel in that each groups are discovering it fairly straightforward to progress the ball into the attacking third. You assault, we assault. Chelsea’s defence had performed Salah onside however he failed to assemble an Alexander-Arnold go.

04:52 PM BST20 minutes: Chelsea 1 Liverpool 0

Palmer seems to be for an early ball excessive for Jackson however the ball runs by to Alisson. A majority of Chelsea’s assaults have come down their proper flank the place Palmer is drifting in direction of.

Chelsea’s Cole Palmer in motion with Liverpool’s Curtis Jones – Reuters/David Klein

04:50 PM BST18 minutes: Chelsea 1 Liverpool 0

Caicedo is the full-back with the liberty to maneuver into midfield for Chelsea, Cucurella is taking part in as a left-sided centre-back in a again three once they have possession. I believe the technique is perhaps to be extra conservative on Salah’s facet of the pitch.

04:46 PM BST15 minutes: Chelsea 1 Liverpool 0

Neto’s cross in direction of Fernandez was a superb one however the Chelsea midfielder couldn’t preserve his header down underneath strain from Quansah. Liverpool have made their adjustments within the again half of the group, and that’s displaying in how susceptible they take a look at instances.

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Neto isolates Tsimikas once more, however the Liverpool left-back does sufficient because the winger tries to go round him.

04:43 PM BST13 minutes: Chelsea 1 Liverpool 0

Palmer was concerned in Chelsea’s aim however he fell asleep there to permit Van Dijk to fizz a go by to Endo. The transfer continues with Gakpo attempting to pick Salah on the again submit with an inswinging cross however there was an excessive amount of weight on it. Each groups trying harmful going ahead.

04:40 PM BST10 minutes: Chelsea 1 Liverpool 0

Main let-off for Liverpool and Alisson: the goalkeeper flattened Jackson with a scything problem outdoors the penalty space however was reprieved by an offside flag. That might certainly have been a pink card had the Chelsea striker timed his run.

04:38 PM BST8 minutes: Chelsea 1 Liverpool 0

Liverpool’s midfield was pulled aside for the aim in a means you hardly ever see when their large hitters are in that a part of the pitch. Their entrance three of Jota, Gakpo and Salah nonetheless has lots to maintain Chelsea trustworthy although, with Chalobah penalised for getting too tight to Jota.

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Gakpo is then away from Caicedo within the left channel, and he went for an bold Henry-style roller from a decent angle which was straightforward for Sanchez.

04:36 PM BST5 minutes: Chelsea 1 Liverpool 0

Chelsea trying harmful once more, however Madueke drags a shot extensive when he may need been higher off passing to Fernandez. Alisson then needs to be sharp off his line to assemble after the ball ricochets again into the Liverpool penalty space.

04:35 PM BSTGOOOOALLL! Enzo Fernandez finishes sweeping Chelsea transfer

Lavia with a reverse go to feed Palmer into area in midfield and he slipped the ball extensive proper to Neto. The Chelsea winger performed a minimize cut-back in direction of the penalty spot and there was Enzo Fernandez to regulate and stroke the ball into the underside nook. Lavia and Palmer opened the sport up there, however good end.

04:32 PM BST2 minutes: Chelsea 0 Liverpool 0

Slick soccer from Liverpool involving Salah and Elliott however Sanchez did nicely to get a hand to the Egyptian’s low cross. Quansah then sweeps up nicely underneath some strain from Jackson to usher the ball again to Alisson. An early warning for Chelsea there in the event that they have been anticipating the champions to be lacklustre.

04:31 PM BSTKICK OFF!

Liverpool are straight into their stride proper from the off within the Chelsea half.

04:29 PM BSTGuard of honour watch

Chelsea’s gamers lined as much as give the Liverpool group a guard of honour amid loud booing from the house followers. The respect clearly solely extends to date…

04:23 PM BSTLiverpool followers placing on fairly the show

Among the Liverpool followers have nipped into Clintons on the way in which to Stamford Bridge, as they’ve come armed with pink helium balloons that spell out ‘Champions’. Hear out for a squeaky voices later as soon as they inevitably begin inhaling them.

Liverpool followers cheer their group onto the pitch – Getty Photos/Henry Nicholls

04:23 PM BSTThings we weren’t anticipating to see

Former United States Secretary of State John Kerry is at Stamford Bridge. I suppose his allegiances have all the time been blue.

Any individual who seems to be an terrible lot like former United States Secretary of State John Kerry is at Stamford Bridge right now, sitting simply behind the house dug-out. Any individual shouted “John” very loudly to examine if it was him and he did look spherical…

John Kerry at Stamford Bridge – Reuters/John Sibley

04:18 PM BSTChelsea in need of ‘large six’ wins in latest instances

Chelsea are due a win towards one of many Premier League large boys. Their final was towards Arsenal in August 2021 and the final time they beat Liverpool was March of the identical 12 months at Anfield.

Marc Cucurella warms up – Reuters/John Sibley

04:14 PM BSTMaresca talking pre-match

When you’ve gamers with profitable mentality like they’ve, I don’t assume they’re going to drop one thing so I anticipate a tricky sport.

Sadly for us this season we didn’t use them [Enzo, Caicedo and Lavia] collectively many instances due to several types of accidents. Romeo is again and hopefully can provide us one thing, on the ball he is excellent.

04:12 PM BSTLiverpool’s adjustments current a possibility for Chelsea

Chelsea can be happy to have seen Newcastle drop factors. The one down facet is that Newcastle now want a win towards Chelsea subsequent weekend, given they then go to Arsenal after that. Given the adjustments Liverpool have made, this seems like an enormous probability for the house facet.

04:00 PM BSTSome excellent news for Chelsea

, which means Chelsea can draw stage on factors with the group in fourth in the event that they win. They’ll want a victory of three targets or extra to go above Newcastle although, which appears unlikely. Newcastle and Chelsea meet at St James’ Park subsequent weekend.

03:51 PM BSTSalah can add to his tally

Arne Slot has determined towards resting Salah, which means he can add to his 46 Premier League aim contributions. You possibly can learn the story of a unprecedented particular person season.

03:41 PM BSTThe Palmer conundrum

There was a second throughout Chelsea’s 3-0 defeat by Brighton and Hove Albion in February which will need to have set off alarm bells within the Stamford Bridge boardroom. Palmer’s manner was considered one of frustration. It jogged my memory of Steven Gerrard throughout the harder intervals at Liverpool, the place he was trying across the pitch and realising team-mates weren’t on the required stage.

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So writes Jamie Carragher about Chelsea’s talisman in his Telegraph Sport column, which .

03:38 PM BSTThose Premier League logos can be gold subsequent season

Virgil van Dijk’s Liverpool shirt – Getty Photos/Liverpool FC

03:36 PM BSTRob Brydon at Stamford Bridge

The comic and actor is definitely a Swansea Metropolis fan, however Premier League soccer in west London on a financial institution vacation Sunday is just not an invite to show down.

Rob Brydon arrives at Stamford Bridge – Reuters/David Klein

03:33 PM BSTThat group information assessed

No actual surprises within the Chelsea group as soon as goalkeeper Robert Sanchez was handed match to start out. Each Caicedo and Cucurella have inverted into midfield from the full-back positions this season; it is going to be fascinating to see if one, each or neither try this job towards Liverpool.

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The midfield space presents a possibility for Chelsea with none of Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister or Dominik Szoboszlai within the Liverpool group. Gravenberch is omitted of the squad completely. Liverpool will begin with Endo, Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott in there.

The entrance three of Gakpo, Jota and Salah stays potent, although.

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03:21 PM BSTLiverpool group information: Konate, Mac Allister and Szoboszlai rested, Gravenberch absent03:18 PM BSTChelsea group information: Lavia in midfield, Caicedo at right-back03:16 PM BSTLiverpool can scupper Chelsea’s prospects for subsequent season

Liverpool’s gamers might be forgiven for having one eye on their summer season journeys to Mykonos or Ibiza, however they could simply fancy placing a dent in Chelsea’s Champions League aspirations first.

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The enmity between the newly-crowned champions and the London membership is just not fairly as intense because the mid-noughties however given Chelsea’s spending energy they continue to be potential rivals.

Enzo Maresca’s group misplaced narrowly at Anfield earlier within the season when their normal stage of efficiency was spectacular, one thing you can’t say about their soccer over the previous couple of months. Slender victories over Fulham and Everton imply a top-five end is inside their grasp, however they haven’t satisfied and their dwelling crowd at Stamford Bridge are lower than enamoured with their fashion of play.

Chelsea have Romeo Lavia again in midfield, a participant who was glorious within the return fixture at Anfield, they usually might do with a return to kind within the Premier League for Cole Palmer. Chelsea will give Liverpool a guard of honour earlier than the sport.

“I feel it’s a practice, it’s one thing you need to do and we need to do. To begin with, they gained the league, in order that they deserve that, and hopefully we will be there (as champions) very quickly,” Maresca mentioned.

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“I don’t assume we want that to grasp how good it’s to win the Premier League. We all know that it’s one thing very good.

“However for positive when you find yourself there, most likely of their thoughts (the gamers) are considering ‘I would really like someday to be there’.”

Slot has recommended he might choose some rotated groups for the ultimate 4 video games.

“It’s good we play some sturdy groups with Chelsea, Arsenal, Brighton and Palace, it provides us a problem,” Slot informed reporters on Friday. “We have now to have a look at this as the beginning of subsequent season. It’s 4 video games we are attempting to win.

“My lineups can be totally different to what we’ve had the final 10 months, (we) gained’t change everybody however there can be some rotation. To not say we are going to lose, we now have a variety of belief in these (gamers),” added the Dutchman.

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“I feel a few of the gamers deserved to play earlier as a result of they’ve skilled so nicely and are ok, however I primarily selected the identical gamers so I see the place they’re looking forward to subsequent season a bit, but in addition as a result of they should play this season.”

Full group information on the way in which shortly.