Curtis Jones silences Cole Palmer in statement Liverpool victory over Chelsea

They came to see if one of England’s prodigious young midfielders could deliver in one of the most consequential fixtures. Curtis Jones duly stepped up, eclipsing Cole Palmer to keep Liverpool top of the Premier League.

The combined cost of the six starting midfielders on either side at Anfield was £310.5 million. Jones cost nothing – the academy graduate too often taken for granted by those seduced by exotic names with huge valuations.

With each pass Jones located a team-mate who cost a small fortune, while most of his duels were with an opponent who Liverpool tried to sign to take his position for double those fees, Chelsea’s Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia in tandem as the Anfield midfield pair that might have been.

Perhaps Jones felt he had even more of a point to prove as he eclipsed so many of those in both sides who were once considered an upgrade. Most likely he considers that to be the case each time he is selected and questions are asked if those names considered more stellar are being injured or rested. If Alexis Mac Allister had not returned from international duty feeling unwell and in need of a break, it is more likely Jones would have been a deputy again.

Instead, he made this his show, decisive in winning Mohamed Salah’s first-half penalty which enabled Liverpool to resist the first of Chelsea’s many pressure surges, and cleverly claiming the winner just as Enzo Maresca contemplated the possibility of Nicolas Jackson’s equaliser laying the foundation for victory.

Just as significant was Jones’ role in nullifying Palmer’s threat. The Chelsea man had his chances but Jones’ first-half block to deny a goalbound strike was symptomatic of a Liverpool victory that was more about a courageous rearguard action than total football.

The first FA scout reports dispatched to Thomas Tuchel will conclude selecting Palmer is a no-brainer, but the new England manager will have the luxury of several up-and-coming midfielders.

“Curtis had a difficult job to control Cole Palmer – an incredible player,” Slot enthused.

“He is so difficult to defend because he has so many qualities, but he controlled him for nearly all the game. Quite close to 90 minutes. Then he is involved in the goal and two penalties. He had a big impact on both sides of the game.”

Chelsea were good and their manager was right to have mixed emotions – content with the performance and deflated at the result. They have enough about them to suggest in time they will be back where they have been accustomed for most of the last 20 years. For prolonged stretches they dominated possession and reduced Liverpool to counter-attacking.

The greatest compliment is there were moments in this meeting which took the spectator back to 2005, when the mentally tough, tactically sound and defensively resolute Liverpool of Rafa Benitez was able to repel the Chelsea of Jose Mourinho as they maintained incessant pressure.

Reece James’ comeback was extraordinarily accomplished given he had not played since April – it was with regret Maresca could not risk him more than an hour. Caicedo is a one-man battering ram, and Lavia’s comeback also promises to finally deliver on that fee.

Even Slot hinted that Chelsea were entitled to feel they deserved more, Maresca’s reputation enhanced despite defeat as the claim neither side has had a challenge so far this season can now be dismissed.

The margins were small.

It was not always the highest technical quality – the ability to control the ball was akin to walking a tightrope in a gale force wind – but the intensity level never dropped.

There was enough class on display to hint at this becoming first in the series of a new era of epics between these clubs.

Only the interventions of the officials threatened to cast a shadow over the players’ endeavours.

Football is fighting a losing battle trying to prevent VAR being a game’s biggest talking point. Liverpool were thanking the video review system when referee John Brooks adjudged Jones fouled by Levi Colwill for the 26th minute penalty – no intervention altering the decision.

Liverpool were cursing the same officials when Brooks was summoned to reverse an on-field call that Chelsea keeper Robert Sanchez steamrolled through the same midfielder in first-half injury time.

Depending on your club colours, different camera angles were as damning as each for the for and against argument.

Then Chelsea were celebrating VAR again four minutes after half-time when Jackson slammed past Caoimhin Kelleher to equalise, initially flagged offside but ruled on upon review.

Liverpool’s instant response was enough, Jones collecting Salah’s pass before nudging beyond the advancing Sanchez.

It was all about the hosts’ resilience from there. Howls of derision from the Kop when the assistant referee revealed seven minutes of injury time served as another compliment to the visitors. Liverpool were not quite clinging on, but the next goal looked most likely to be Chelsea’s. The Kop’s celebrations hailed a significant scalp.

Jones had been subbed by then, a combination of the exhaustion from his endeavours leading his side’s charge to victory and the joys of becoming a father – he was released from England duty early for the briefest paternity leave for his new-born daughter, Giselle.

“It’s the best thing ever, it’s a different type of joy,” he said.

“I was in the spare room but she’s a little dream.”

Jones may have occasionally felt like he was in the spare room when it came to midfield picks at Anfield over the past three years, too. Under Slot – and perhaps Tuchel – he is a contender to move from the fringe to centre stage.

Slot hails Liverpool win over Chelsea as start of title-defining run

Liverpool manager Arne Slot hailed the major scalp of Chelsea as the start of a defining period which will showcase his team’s title and Champions League credentials.

Slot has suggested a kind fixture list has contributed to Liverpool being early pacesetters at the top of the Premier League, but he was not masking the size of the challenge in beating Enzo Maresca’s side at Anfield, after Mohamed Salah and Curtis Jones secured a 2-1 win.

“I said on Friday, don’t judge us on this week, you have to judge us after these seven games, and that’s what I say after this win,” said Slot.

“Wednesday is Leipzig, then on Sunday it’s Arsenal, then it’s Brighton (in the League Cup) and Brighton and Leverkusen and Aston Villa. This is our biggest test, to play Champions League and Premier League, the hardest games, three days after each other, that’s what City did, that’s what Arsenal did for two years in a row now.

“This is a good start to win the second big game we have played, but I also saw how difficult it was, how difficult Chelsea made it for us.

“If I was sitting here as a Chelsea manager I’d be thinking if we can play like this at Anfield then we are also one of the teams that can compete for top-four position.”

While Slot refused to get ahead of himself, others were happy to assess Liverpool’s title credentials based on a performance that took the Dutchman’s side back in front of Manchester City, who had beaten Wolves earlier in the day.

“Liverpool are challengers now  there’s no mistake about it,” said Micah Richards on Sky Sports. “Chelsea were exceptional at times during the game but I think Liverpool in the way they can see out a game and adapt with the slower build up and the way they feed off the crowd’s energy, I feel they have the chance to go all the way this year.”

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher added: “It feels like a really big win and Arne Slot knows that. Liverpool weren’t at their best but they found a way to win and that’s been the hallmark of so many great Liverpool teams in the past.”

Maresca says Chelsea deserved more after Anfield defeat

Chelsea manager Maresca had mixed emotions, taking comfort from a fine away showing despite the loss.

“I think the performance was very good. We don’t like to drop points but I have been in this stadium many times and it is not easy,” he said.

“We controlled the game and for a long time dominated. We lost and we do not like it, but we gave a good performance.

“To come here in this stadium and this team and not concede chances and momentum is impossible because of the team and environment. We can be proud and upset.

“For sure we need to work for a clean sheet and work on many things, but if you see the goals we have scored and conceded, game after game it is getting better.

“I’m relaxed. I am not happy because we lost. I am happy because of the performance of the team.”

Jota suffers new injury blow

Liverpool suffered some bad news with Diogo Jota suffering a rib injury which is likely to rule him out of the Champions League trip to Leipzig.

“I have a lot of confidence in this team but you also saw today after the international break we had some problems,” said Slot.

“Conor Bradley is not in, Trent wasn’t training for the first few games when he came back [from England] so he was a bit of a doubt before the game.

“Then Macca [Alexis Mac Allister] was sick. Today Diogo had to be substituted, I don’t know what it is but I would be surprised if he’s there on Wednesday.

“These are all things everybody has and you have to cope with during the season as well. That’s why I always say it’s so difficult to win a league title no matter where in the world because so many things have to be done really, really good.”

07:20 PM BST

Enzo Maresca taking the positives

07:05 PM BST

Reece James on Chelsea’s performance

07:03 PM BST

Slot on his Liverpool win

06:56 PM BST

MOTM Curtis Jones speaking

06:53 PM BST

Quite the start from Slot

06:48 PM BST

Just eight shots on goal for Liverpool today

That is the fewest they have managed in a Premier League game at Anfield since February 2021, which suggests Chelsea did plenty right. Not that it will ruin the mood of Liverpool’s fans nor be much consolation to Chelsea’s.

06:35 PM BST

FT: Liverpool 2 Chelsea 1

Liverpool and Arne Slot were furious with Brooks for giving a free-kick against Nunez for what looked a shoulder barge. Chelsea staged one last attack and Neto whipped the ball across the box which ran for Gusto, but Robertson made a crucial block.

And that is game over!

Seven wins from eight for Slot and Liverpool go back to the top of the league. A point clear of City and four clear of Arsenal, who they face next week at the Emirates. Liverpool were not at their most fluent but produced more telling moments of quality.

Chelsea can feel heartened though, if frustrated. That was a notable improvement on their efforts at the big away grounds last season. They are finding the core of a new team in Colwill, Caicedo, Lavia, Palmer and Jackson but they need some stabilising forces around them.

06:32 PM BST

96 minutes: Liverpool 2 Chelsea 1

Luis Diaz weaves his way into the penalty area but shoots high and wide of the far post. Can Chelsea muster one final attack?

06:31 PM BST

95 minutes: Liverpool 2 Chelsea 1

Liverpool thought they had a corner but the flag goes up for offside. Another eye-catching Salah pass in that move. Chelsea might still have another chance.

06:30 PM BST

94 minutes: Liverpool 2 Chelsea 1

Liverpool still have some defending to do. Great work from Colwill and then Jackson to drive Chelsea up the pitch with the striker skipping away from Liverpool challenges.

Close again for Chelsea! Neto with an inswinging cross to the back post but Nkunku missed the ball with his studs by a matter of inches. He had got away from Gomez.

06:29 PM BST

92 minutes: Liverpool 2 Chelsea 1

Mac Allister with a very clumsy foul on Palmer in a dangerous crossing position near the right corner of the penalty area. That looked awfully unnecessary given Diaz was in support and Palmer is not going to burn you for pace on the outside.

Palmer then whips the free-kick into the box, and Veiga nods wide from not far out! Good chance for Chelsea. Liverpool breathe a sigh of relief.

06:26 PM BST

90 minutes: Liverpool 2 Chelsea 1

There will be SEVEN minutes of stoppage time. Liverpool have a free-kick around halfway after a foul by Caicedo.

Howls of frustration at the signal for seven minute shows how well Chelsea have played. Whatever the outcome today they look like an emerging force again.

06:24 PM BST

88 minutes: Liverpool 2 Chelsea 1

Chelsea’s pass out to Nkunku was not the best, allowing Gomez to steal in front and win the foul. For all Chelsea’s possession they are starting to look out of ideas. Does Palmer have one big moment in him? He has been quiet up until now.

06:23 PM BST

85 minutes: Liverpool 2 Chelsea 1

Gusto is back on his feet and playing on. Chelsea continue to push forward, with Gomez conceding a corner under some pressure from Nkunku. Gusto whips in an inswinging cross after the corner was taken short, and Konate headed clear under pressure. Chelsea have not converted enough of their pressure into goals.

06:20 PM BST

83 minutes: Liverpool 2 Chelsea 1

Much like they did at the start of the game, Chelsea are moving the ball through the pitch quite well but can they find the telling goal? Mac Allister gets across to challenge Gusto, who has stayed down. Chelsea’s full-back looks in some discomfort.

06:17 PM BST

80 minutes: Liverpool 2 Chelsea 1

Diaz cuts inside and shoots but it was straight at Sanchez. The Chelsea goalkeeper then springs the counter with a throw out, and Nkunku had Konate in deep blue water in a right-back position. Too sharp for the centre-back, who brings him down at the expense of a yellow card. Standing ovation for Curtis Jones, replaced by Mac Allister. Gomez has also been introduced by Slot for Alexander-Arnold.

06:14 PM BST

78 minutes: Liverpool 2 Chelsea 1

Caicedo with a driving run up the pitch after diligent defending from Enzo Fernandez in his own box. Liverpool funnel red shirts back to defend, before Diaz produces a mazy dribble of his own to relieve the pressure and draw a foul from Veiga. Liverpool can see the finish line now, they are starting to look fairly comfortable sitting on this lead.

06:11 PM BST

76 minutes: Liverpool 2 Chelsea 1

Maresca is preparing another change: Nkunku is getting stripped and ready. Chelsea’s substitutes have contributed to plenty of goals so far this season. Silly foul conceded by Badiashille against Nunez near the touchline. Nkunku replaces Madueke, who has been less of a threat in the second half.

06:09 PM BST

73 minutes: Liverpool 2 Chelsea 1

Neto looking dangerous again, running across the Liverpool’s defence from the left, but that does put the ball on his weaker right foot. He took the shot on from 25 yards, but dragged it wide of the far post. Liverpool’s fans are furious that a foul has been given against Diaz.

06:07 PM BST

70 minutes: Liverpool 2 Chelsea 1

Jones has been key to Liverpool stopping the supply into Palmer. Alexander-Arnold almost gets himself in a pickle as he tries to see the ball back to Kelleher, but it makes the journey.

Brilliant dribble from out to in from Neto, attracting red shirts which leaves Palmer free, but after taking a touch his shot is blocked. Could Palmer have hit it first time with his left?

06:05 PM BST

68 minutes: Liverpool 2 Chelsea 1

Some pantomime stuff here as Nunez hits the deck after an altercation with Badiashille, not much more than a nudge in the shoulder. Nothing doing. At least Nunez didn’t bother to hold his face. Moments later, Nunez is then booked for catching Badiashille late and barging him to the floor.

06:01 PM BST

65 minutes: Liverpool 2 Chelsea 1

Palmer’s free-kick is deflected over the bar, but Chelsea fail to make the corner count before Madueke fouls Nunez. Slot is making another change: Diaz is on for Gakpo on the left of Liverpool’s attack.

05:59 PM BST

62 minutes: Liverpool 2 Chelsea 1

Salah with sumptuous switch of play out to Gakpo but he blazed his shot over the bar after cutting inside. Then Madueke attempts an ambitious volley at the far post, but cannot get enough power behind it to trouble Kelleher. Neto then plays a sharp one-two and wins a free-kick in a dangerous shooting position.

05:57 PM BST

Curtis Jones’ Liverpool’s outstanding player

Finally, a drama in this game that does not have to be digitally evaluated, as Curtis Jones shows superb poise to correct his teetering balance and angle his finish beyond Robert Sanchez. You can hardly say it is undeserved. Jones has been exceptional for Liverpool, even if his forward roll over Sanchez for an overturned first-half penalty was a touch theatrical. A few days after he and his girlfriend Saffie welcomed a baby girl, the 23-year-old copies Jack Grealish with the now-ubiquitous thumb-sucking celebration.

05:53 PM BST

56 minutes: Liverpool 2 Chelsea 1

Neto has been lively for Chelsea since his half-time introduction but Veiga gave him too much work to do with that pass. Kelleher then scoops up Neto’s cross. Chelsea are still seeing plenty of the ball in the Liverpool half. You would not discount a second equaliser.

05:51 PM BST

54 minutes: Liverpool 2 Chelsea 1

Maresca was already preparing a triple sub before Liverpool’s second goal and here they come: Veiga, Fernandez and Badiashille are on for James, Lavia and Tosin. A case of protection two players on their way back from injury, plus a player on a yellow card in Tosin.

05:49 PM BST

GOOOAALL! Jones restores Liverpool lead

Chelsea’s defence pushed up to the edge of the area, but the deep run from midfield by Jones sprung the trap. Great vision from Salah to pick Jones out and his finish when losing his balance was a great piece of improvisation. Chelsea failed to consolidate after scoring.

For all the millions spent on the midfielders on parade at Anfield, this has become the Curtis Jones show.

05:46 PM BST

GOOOAAALL! Jackson goal stands after initial offside

Chelsea cut through Liverpool with a pass into Caicedo who then found Jackson with a through ball, who finished beyond Kelleher. He was flagged for offside, but the replays show Konate’s left leg was playing him onside.

VAR review...the goal stands! Chelsea are level. Jackson is not always the best with time to think but he kept his poise there to squeeze the shot beyond the goalkeeper.

Double fist pump from Maresca and a roar from the away end. Chelsea are good value for that.

05:43 PM BST

47 minutes: Liverpool 1 Chelsea 0

Madueke with another chance to run at Robertson but his low cross is cleared. Chelsea have not managed to find the right final pass or shot so far, for all their attractive approach play.

05:42 PM BST

We are back under way!

Liverpool get the second half started. I reckon Slot will have made a couple of adjustments to help Liverpool have more controlled possession.

05:41 PM BST

Half-time change from Chelsea

Jadon Sancho off, replaced by Pedro Neto. Chelsea have real potency on both flanks now to target Robertson and Alexander-Arnold.

05:37 PM BST

Liverpool’s second penalty, overturned after VAR review

05:34 PM BST

Chris’ half-time verdict from Anfield

Maresca will be pleased with Chelsea’s first half performance. They just lacked penetration. Liverpool have played well in moments but have never been in control. The dominance of the officials has meant the overall product has been rather unsatisfying, although it feels like this game might explode at any second as the antipathy between the sides has steadily grown.

05:28 PM BST

HT: Liverpool 1 Chelsea 0

A slow burner, but this game is delivering the entertainment we expected. Chelsea have been bright in possession and have come to Anfield to play their own game, with Lavia and Gusto impressive. Maresca’s team have shaded things in general play, but Liverpool have exposed them defensively by going from front to back quickly. Plenty of VAR controversy again, with the two penalties and Tosin’s yellow, but I think the officials have got them just about right. Chelsea fans might point to Alexander-Arnold standing on Sancho’s foot in the box.

05:25 PM BST

45 minutes+7: Liverpool 1 Chelsea 0

Delaying the restart alert: Szoboszlai has been booked for kicking the ball away shortly after conceding a free-kick. Teasing delivery, but Liverpool defend well.

05:23 PM BST

45 minutes+5: Liverpool 1 Chelsea 0

Now Chelsea are on the attack in the final moments of the half, but they need to be wary of the game getting stretched. After a relatively sleepy start, the game has game to life.

Palmer then curls a shot not far over the bar! Madueke causing Robertson problems again.

05:21 PM BST

NO PENALTY!

Rob Jones overturns the original decision and Chelsea have a reprieve. That was an example of VAR working well, because it looked a stonewall penalty at full speed but the replays told a different story.

05:20 PM BST

PENALTY LIVERPOOL!

Sanchez appeared to rush out and clatter Curtis Jones with Chelsea all at sea defensively, but a later replay shows the Chelsea goalkeeper made contact with the ball with his shin, before the contact with Jones.

The referee has been told to review this on the monitor by VAR. This will surely be overturned.

05:18 PM BST

45 minutes: Liverpool 1 Chelsea 0

Chelsea have a corner in the first of five minutes of added time. Liverpool head clear, and get the chance to counter attack with blue shirts caught forward....

05:15 PM BST

43 minutes: Liverpool 1 Chelsea 0

Now Jackson is the player down with a knock, the Chelsea striker appears to be holding his back. Gusto goes across to get some tactical instructions from Maresca. Jackson is back on his feet and should be fit to continue.

05:12 PM BST

41 minutes: Liverpool 1 Chelsea 0

Sancho not the most decisive up against Alexander-Arnold but he does help Chelsea win a corner. Liverpool clear but Caicedo helps keep the move alive and the away team in Liverpool’s half. Jackson’s touch is then poor which gives Liverpool the chance to counter, and Salah very nearly found Gakpo’s run with a fine ball over the top. Tosin just about made up the ground to get his studs to it.

05:10 PM BST

37 minutes: Liverpool 1 Chelsea 0

Despite playing plenty of good football in the opening half hour, Chelsea do look open at times. Liverpool hit the space behind Reece James there and the move finished with Szoboszlai shooting straight at Sanchez with blue shirts trying to scramble back.

05:07 PM BST

35 minutes: Liverpool 1 Chelsea 0

Caicedo releases Jackson into some space behind Van Dijk, but the striker slashes a shot towards the near post which clips the top of the woodwork. Plenty of power behind it, but should he have gone across goal? Salah then does well to hold the ball under pressure from Gusto.

05:05 PM BST

33 minutes: Liverpool 1 Chelsea 0

Liverpool have the ball in the net again, but the flag goes up for offside against Salah who then provided Gakpo with a tap-in. A close call, but a right one by the linesman. It all came from Sanchez sending an aimless long kick into the sky, rather than just holding the ball for a few seconds with Chelsea under pressure.

05:03 PM BST

31 minutes: Liverpool 1 Chelsea 0

Straight after scoring the goal, Liverpool have taken Jota off for Nunez. An enforced change after the earlier knock. Then Liverpool win a corner, which Chelsea head clear.

05:01 PM BST

Salah scores!

An unerring finish from the penalty spot, sending Sanchez the wrong way and blasting the ball to the goalkeeper’s left. A fist pump from Arne Slot on the touchline. Liverpool have their noses in front.

04:59 PM BST

PENALTY LIVERPOOL!

Now Colwill has conceded a penalty. Almost felt like the accumulation of being under pressure for a few minutes got to him eventually. Curtis Jones got to a loose ball before the defender, and he kicked through the back of his leg. Just what Liverpool needed after a slow start and it feels a little self-inflicted for Chelsea. Salah to take against Sanchez.

Nothing like a feisty Liverpool v Chelsea game to unleash Arne Slot’s inner Klopp… his booking for furiously protesting the non-penalty ignited Anfield and a minute later referee Jon Brooks pointed to the spot for Colwill’s challenge on Jones. Join the dots. Chelsea had managed to subdue the stadium for the previous ten minutes.

04:58 PM BST

25 minutes: Liverpool 0 Chelsea 0

Vociferous appeals for a Liverpool penalty, but the officials judged (correctly) that Salah had dragged his leg into the path of Colwill. It was a right old tussle between the two players, Chelsea are trusting Colwill to defend one on one against Jota and Salah. Moments earlier, Madueke roasted Robertson and Palmer’s shot was blocked six yards out.

04:56 PM BST

Was Tosin fortunate?

There are inevitably questions about inconsistent officiating after Tosin Adarabioyo receives only a yellow card for hauling down Diogo Jota just as the Liverpool striker threatens to break clear. It has not even been 24 hours since Arsenal’s William Saliba was given a straight red for hauling down Evanilson, the last man, at Bournemouth. Why the disparity? The distance from goal looks similar, as does the position of covering defenders. The only possible mitigation for Tosin is that the ball looks to be heading towards the touchline, rather than – as in Saliba’s case – straight down the middle.

04:54 PM BST

22 minutes: Liverpool 0 Chelsea 0

Chelsea continue to look comfortable, moving the ball through Lavia and Caicedo in midfield. James whips a dangerous cross to the back post that Alexander-Arnold heads behind for a corner. Moments early, an Alexnader-Arnold challenge on Sancho was checked for a penalty but nothing doing.

04:53 PM BST

19 minutes: Liverpool 0 Chelsea 0

Chelsea have shown some real guts to play out from the back so far, but Sanchez almost played them into trouble there, dallying on the ball with Jota closing him down. The ball bounced off Jota and back into the goalkeeper’s arms. The biggest threat to Chelsea might be their own individual mistakes.

04:48 PM BST

16 minutes: Liverpool 0 Chelsea 0

The Anfield atmosphere has been a talking point among Liverpool fans this season, and Chelsea are doing a good job of keeping the crowd quiet so far. They have enjoyed the longer sequences of possession so far, even if Kelleher is yet to be tested. The home team now quite hounding their opponents as aggressively as we expected. Gusto defends well up against Salah before Lavia impresses again, receiving and playing from from the edge of his own box.

04:44 PM BST

12 minutes: Liverpool 0 Chelsea 0

Chelsea are trying to force Liverpool to go long from the goalkeeper, although that caused them a problem in Jota’s duel with Tosin. Chelsea’s goalkeeper Sanchez then pings a fantastic diagonal over the top of Alexander-Arnold for Sancho, but Gusto scooped his cross horribly over the bar. That’s the disadvantage of asking Gusto to deliver with his left foot on his wrong side.

04:41 PM BST

9 minutes: Liverpool 0 Chelsea 0

It already feels like a decisive facet of this game will be whether Chelsea can play beyond Liverpool’s front four when they are building play from the back or whether they get pressed into a mistake. Solid defending from Reece James after a Van Dijk diagonal. Jota is back on the pitch and looks fit to continue.

Jota’s running has been causing Chelsea a problem from the first minute, dropping deep and then running behind. His cleverness is why he is preferred to Nunez. Tosin already on a tightrope after that booking.

04:39 PM BST

7 minutes: Liverpool 0 Chelsea 0

Some neat football from Chelsea so far but there have been a couple of heart in mouth moments too: Tosin is booked for dragging Jota to the floor after misjudging the flight of a long ball forward. Jota may well have been away, but the fact Colwill was in close attendance spared Tosin the fate suffered by William Saliba yesterday. Like Caicedo a few minutes ago, now Jota is down with a knock. One of Chelsea’s centre-halves now on a booking.

04:37 PM BST

5 minutes: Liverpool 0 Chelsea 0

Chelsea have started with some composure, with Lavia producing a lovely drop of the shoulder to turn away from pressure in his own half. The away team can then get their foot on the ball and enjoy some possession. Liverpool in something like a 4-2-4 shape when they are defending.

Jota springs Liverpool forward on the attack, and there are loud appeals for handball against Colwill, outside the box, but nothing doing.

But a bigger concern for Chelsea is that Caicedo is down with looks to be a muscular problem. The midfielder is going to try and play on.

04:34 PM BST

2 minutes: Liverpool 0 Chelsea 0

Liverpool try a quick free-kick from midfield but they were not set for it and the ball runs through to Sanchez. Caicedo then gets his body between Gravenberch and the ball to win a foul. When Chelsea have the ball, Gusto is tucking into a narrow, left-sided central midfield position with James, Tosin and Colwill forming a back three. Tosin with a loose pass to Szoboszlai but Chelsea get away with it.

04:32 PM BST

KICK OFF!

Cole Palmer passes back to Sanchez and Chelsea get the game under way.

04:30 PM BST

The players are out of the tunnel...

Like any visiting side to Anfield, Chelsea will be targetting a quiet first 20 minutes to draw the venom out of the contest. There should be goals given both teams’ front-footed approach, but Liverpool have probably had the better balance between both sides of the game so far this season. That said, they have not played many teams with Chelsea’s level of attacking threat.

04:22 PM BST

Caicedo and Lavia line up at Anfield at last

This might be billed as the Liverpool midfield of 2024 against the fantasy Liverpool midfield of summer 2023, Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia given a glimpse of what they did not fancy at Anfield when refusing to become the last major signings of the Jurgen Klopp era.

Looking at the relative strength of both benches, this could be an afternoon for the managers’ to show their value with game-changing substitutes. Enzo Maresca will fancy his chances if the game is in the balance in the closing stages, Neto and Felix in particular potential match winners. Arne Slot, of course, has the ever-erratic Darwin Nunez to call upon if and when required.

04:18 PM BST

Maresca on trusting James and Lavia from the start

04:13 PM BST

Slot confirms the international break was a factor in his team

03:57 PM BST

Some bad news for Liverpool fans...

As well as Arsenal supporters and those Chelsea fans who have allowed themselves to dream of a title challenge: Manchester City have scored a last-gasp winner at Wolves through John Stones. There was a VAR check for a subjective onside, but unusually the referee stuck with his decision after an on-field review. Follow the latest reaction to that game here.

03:35 PM BST

The possible thinking behind Jones over Mac Allister

Talk about straight back into the deep end for Reece James. Less surprising is Alexis Mac Allister being benched. He’s had four performances for Liverpool below 7/10 in the 15 months since he signed and three of them were immediately after international breaks.

03:27 PM BST

Some interesting selection calls from both managers

Luis Diaz and Alexis Mac Allister are on Liverpool’s bench but both had trips back from South America this week. I doubt they fly back from international duty cattle class, but perhaps Arne Slot is wary of the type of muscle injury that befell Alisson at Crystal Palace. A big day for Cody Gakpo and Curtis Jones who start in Diaz and Mac Allister’s usual roles.

Enzo Maresca has handed Reece James his first start since May at Anfield, while Romeo Lavia and Moises Caicedo are the midfield pair with Enzo Fernandez on the bench. Again, international exertions could be a factor there. Malo Gusto is a right-footer at left-back, which several managers have tried against Salah over the years. How much help will Chelsea’s defence get from their front four? Jadon Sancho is the pick on the left.

03:18 PM BST

Chelsea team and subs: Reece James makes first start of the season

03:16 PM BST

Liverpool team and subs: Curtis Jones starts in midfield

03:11 PM BST

Not a fixture for half-and-half scarves...

03:05 PM BST

Arne Slot blames Alisson injury on football’s schedule

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has blamed the fixture schedule for goalkeeper Alisson Becker’s latest injury woe and says he regrets not resting him for the team’s last match at Crystal Palace.

Slot suggested the timing of a Saturday 12.30pm kick off following a midweek Champions League game contributed to the hamstring injury which rules out the Brazilian number one until at least mid-November.

It is not the first time Alisson has suffered with the issue, as he missed 26 games last season with a similar problem.

“We are looking into it, what could be the reason,” said Slot.

“One thing we all know is that if you had one, the chances of getting another one go up. We’ve tried to be really careful with him but maybe it’s a good moment for me to explain one more time because there was a bit of rumour about me saying before the game that I don’t mind the 12.30 kick-off and that is still what I think because we train at the same time.

“But what might be something to think about for the English FA is if you play Wednesday evening in the Champions League then to play on Saturday at 12.30 might be a disadvantage when it comes to injuries. The time at 12.30 is no problem at all but if you play so shortly after playing on a Wednesday evening, fortunately it was a home game, that might be something we should take into consideration.

“Although it’s so hard to change all of your 11 players because you play only two days later, in retrospect I might have chosen Caoim (Kelleher) instead of Alisson but you don’t expect a goalkeeper to pick up a muscle injury.”

02:56 PM BST

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02:56 PM BST

Enzo Maresca: I watched 38 Liverpool games in a week

By Ian McCullough

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has revealed Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool team were the blueprint for how he wants his teams to play ahead of his first trip to Anfield as a manager.

Maresca’s side are unbeaten since the opening day of the season and can reinforce their top-four credentials with a win against Arne Slot’s early-season pacesetters today in what’s been an encouraging start to life in English football’s hottest of managerial hotseats.

The Italian is no stranger to being in the away dug-out at Anfield from his time as Pep Guardiola’s assistant at Manchester City and had a ringside seat for some memorable Premier League encounters against Klopp’s side.

“At that time, it was THE game, between two teams that were doing fantastic,” he said.

“The margins were always tiny. You can feel, you can smell that kind of game. It was nice not only for us involved but also for all the people who like football.”

Although Klopp is no longer in charge at Liverpool, his teams had a profound effect on the Italian’s football philosophy.

Maresca said: “When I finished playing and was starting out as a manager I watched 38 games of Liverpool in one week to study and to analyse how they were with the previous manager in terms of pressing.

“It was Christmas time, I still remember. But I was starting to watch different kinds of work. To understand and to see how the best teams think.

“I really know Liverpool players because I watched them many, many, many times. The first one, two, three years of Klopp, the way they were pressing was especially good because of (Mo) Salah, (Roberto) Firmino and (Sadio) Mane.

“It is not only about being on the ball. It was off the ball, the way they were aggressive was unbelievable.

“I really like Salah, not only because he is good on the ball but because he is a fantastic player also off the ball.”

Cole Palmer has established himself as one of the best players in Europe since his arrival at Stamford Bridge from City last season but Maresca said it’s too soon to put the 22-year-old in the same bracket as Salah.

He said: “You cannot just judge on one or two years. In Salah’s case you have to judge on the last seven or eight years,

“He has been one of the best players and one of the best Liverpool players. Cole did that for us last year and also now.  Hopefully he can do it for the next five to 10 years with us.”