CHELSEA PLAYER RATINGS
(4-2-3-1) TEAM AVERAGE 5.9
DJORDJE PETROVIC — 8
Heartbreak for Petrovic, who justified his selection over Robert Sanchez with a series of super saves, including one to deny Harvey Elliott.
MALO GUSTO — 6
Some sloppiness in the early exchanges but grew into the game as he engaged in a sweaty showdown with Luis Diaz.
AXEL DISASI — 6
The Chelsea fans singing about Steven Gerrard’s slip nearly got a taste of their own medicine when Disasi’s tumble almost led to a goal. He survived that, but lost Virgil van Dijk for his goal.
LEVI COLWILL — 6
Had he not been blocked by the offside Wataru Endo, would he have stopped Van Dijk from scoring his disallowed header? He certainly thought so and VAR agreed.
BEN CHILWELL — 6
Spent the week wondering if he would face Mohamed Salah. Instead a scrap with Conor Bradley ensued.
MOISES CAICEDO — 5
Not shy in chucking his weight around. Clumsy challenge on Ryan Gravenberch infuriated Liverpool. Jurgen Klopp wanted a straight red. They didn’t even get a free-kick.
ENZO FERNANDEZ — 5
Occasional lapses of judgment, like when he tried to backheel the ball into the goal while two team-mates were waiting to be teed up. Not the midfielder’s most commanding display.
COLE PALMER — 6
The goal was gaping when Caoimhin Kelleher stopped Palmer from scoring. Terrific save, but also a tame finish. Twice set up Gallagher for glorious chances, but twice without reward.
CONOR GALLAGHER — 6
Chased the ball like it was the last one left on the planet, but ultimately left wondering how he did not stick it in Liverpool’s goal. First denied by the post. Then by Kelleher.
RAHEEM STERLING — 5
Thought he had scored in the 32nd minute — seemed set to celebrate in front of Liverpool’s fans — but an offside flag spoiled his fun. Otherwise largely ineffective down Chelsea’s left-hand side.
NICOLAS JACKSON — 6
He was frustrated his kneecap was offside in the build-up to Sterling’s disallowed tap-in because it was a nicely squared ball. Largely on his lonesome up top, starved of service.
SUBSTITUTES
CHRISTOPHER NKUNKU — 6 (for Sterling, 67min) His energy helped Chelsea in a late flourish towards the end of normal time. MYKHAILO MUDRYK — 5.5 (Jackson, 90) Never influential against tiring opponents. NONI MADUEKE — 5.5 (Gallagher, 97) The odd nice moment but this wasn’t Chelsea’s day.
TREVOH CHALOBAH — 5.5 (Chilwell, 113) Thrown on too late to make a difference. NOT USED: Robert Sanchez, Marcus Bettinelli, Alfie Gilchrist, Jimi Tauriainen, Billy Gee.
MANAGER: MAURICIO POCHETTINO — 5.5 Chelsea created chances but ultimately, Pochettino’s £1billion troupe of talent lost out to a Liverpool team full of kids. Gutting for the Blues boss.