Player ratings

LIVERPOOL 2 (4-3-3) TEAM AVERAGE 7.4 CHELSEA 0 (4-3-3) TEAM AVERAGE 6.1

ALISSON

Didn’t have much to do despite Chelsea chances. Solid distribution, good communication.

T ALEXANDER-ARNOLD

Good anticipation at right back and was alive to the movement of Willian and Hazard.

JOEL MATIP

Positionally sloppy at times, allowing Chelsea to carve a way in behind the Liverpool back four.

VIRGIL VAN DIJK

Calming influence again and rarely looked flustered, even when the visitors came back into it.

ANDREW ROBERTSON

Strong running down the left as usual and always had the measure of Hudson-Odoi.

JORDAN HENDERSON

Looking to get forward more. Provided a terrific cross for Mane to head in the opener.

FABINHO

Knitted Liverpool together in possession and thwarted Chelsea counter-attacks.

NABY KEITA

Ever-improving Guinean provided inventive ideas from midfield and was full of running.

MO SALAH

Stunning strike for second goal. Gave Emerson a torrid time all afternoon.

ROBERTO FIRMINO

Linked play nicely to allow others to flourish around him. Dropped off the front to good effect.

SADIO MANE

Dragged defenders out of position and poached the all-important first goal at the back post.

SUBSTITUTES

Wijnaldum 6 (for Keita 66min), Milner (for Henderson 77), Shaqiri (for Salah 90.) Not used: Mignolet, Lovren, Sturridge, Origi.

JURGEN KLOPP

Got response from his men right after half-time.

KEPA ARRIZABALAGA

Absolutely nothing he could do about the goals and had earlier made crucial interventions.

CESAR AZPILICUETA

Strong competitor but will be disappointed that he was sucked in as Mane headed home the first.

ANTONIO RUDIGER

Speed and agility was a real defensive asset for Chelsea until he was injured before half-time.

DAVID LUIZ

Missed Rudiger. Held Chelsea together and read the game well until the German went off.

EMERSON

Too weak in the tackle for the first goal and Salah skipped by him too easily for the second.

N’GOLO KANTE

Provided Chelsea with energy until the last and was often the furthest forward with Hazard.

JORGINHO

Had started well but then appeared dazed when Liverpool upped the ante and flooded midfield.

RUBEN LOFTUS-CHEEK

Strong in the tackle. Threatened to make a definitive impact but never truly delivered.

CALLUM HUDSON-ODOI

Remained on the periphery until he was substituted. Just couldn’t get into the game at all.

EDEN HAZARD

A menace as he drifted in the false nine position but failed to convert two massive opportunities.

WILLIAN

Busy display, direct in his play, and looked the most likely to produce something in final third.

SUBSTITUTES

Christensen 4.5 (for Rudiger 40), Higuain 6 (for Hudson-Odoi 56),

Barkley 6 (for Loftus-Cheek 75).

Not used: Caballero, Pedro, Kovacic, Giroud.

MAURIZIO SARRI

Short spells of Liverpool dominance cost his side.

REFEREE MICHAEL OLIVER

Allowed the game to flow and dealt sensibly with aggravation.

ATTENDANCE 3,279