Liverpool moved back to the top of the Premier League with an entertaining 2-1 win at home to Chelsea.
Mohamed Salah had put Liverpool in front with a penalty before Nicolas Jackson equalised for Chelsea just after the break.
Shortly afterwards Curtis Jones, who produced an excellent display, scored what proved to be the winner.
There were plenty of incidents, with Chelsea continuing to make progress under Enzo Maresca despite the defeat.
Mail Sport’s Joe Bernstein and Kieran Gill assess the key talking points from the clash at Anfield.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot was jubilant after guiding his side to victory against Chelsea
Reds’ reserves of strength
Liverpool’s strength in depth was emphasised by goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher
To win a title, you need a strong squad, and Liverpool have the depth to rival Manchester City and Arsenal.
The quality of their substitutes on Sunday — Darwin Nunez, Luis Diaz, Alexis Mac Allister and Joe Gomez all came on to make contributions — was noticeable.
Arne Slot made changes to accommodate players returning from South American World Cup qualifiers and ‘understudies’ Curtis Jones and Cody Gakpo were hugely impressive. Plus, with Alisson injured, is there a better stand-in goalkeeper than Caoimhin Kelleher?
Nunez brings the chaos
Darwin Nunez is continuing to produce chaotic performances for Arne Slot’s Liverpool
The raucous atmosphere at Anfield is among Liverpool’s most potent weapons and nobody can turn up the volume like Darwin Nunez.
Affectionately nicknamed ‘Chaos’ by the Kop, the chants of ‘Noon-ez’ when he replaced Diogo Jota were the loudest of the evening and seemed to give Liverpool extra energy.
The Uruguayan wrestled with Benoit Badiashile, beat the turf like a stroppy teenager at refereeing decisions and harried Chelsea’s defenders to within an inch of their lives. His role at the club is about so much more than goals, though he’ll get a few of them as well.
Maresca: Anfield swayed ref
Chelsea fans’ group We Are The Shed have been pushing for a singing section at Stamford Bridge, feeling the atmosphere needs a boost. Anfield was noisy and Enzo Maresca indicated afterwards that he felt ref
John Brooks was influenced by the crowd. He did not award the visitors a penalty when Trent Alexander-Arnold fouled Jadon Sancho (right), but did give two to Liverpool, one of them being overturned after a VAR intervention.
Pressure on shaky Sanchez
Robert Sanchez’s position as Chelsea’s first-choice goalkeeper is under threat as he struggled
Robert Sanchez is under pressure as Chelsea’s No 1 goalkeeper, with Filip Jorgensen hoping to take over.
Thursday’s Conference League trip to face Panathinaikos in Athens would have normally presented a perfect opportunity for the 22-year-old summer signing, who joined from Villarreal for £20.7million, to impress. But Jorgensen was missing from Sunday’s squad after suffering a head injury on Denmark Under 21 duty.
If Chelsea’s 32-year-old third-choice goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli were to fill in, it would be his first appearance since his debut for the club — all the way back in January 2022.
Lavia’s statement display
Chelsea midfielder Romeo Lavia gave a good account of himself on his return to action
Romeo Lavia started for the first time since Chelsea’s season-opening loss to Manchester City and the 20-year-old made an impression in midfield.
If he can steer clear of the injuries that have held him back since he signed from Southampton for £58million in 2023, he could be a game-changer, with Argentina’s Enzo Fernandez having lost his place to him on Sunday.
