Every player rated as Chelsea hold Liverpool to end Reds’ perfect start

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It was a riveting encounter in west London with Liverpool and Chelsea sharing the spoils.

After a lively start to the match, Eden Hazard stepped up to the mark and scored his seventh career goal against the Reds, picking up from where he left off during midweek and firing home a thumping left-footed strike to break the deadlock.

Liverpool pressed and probed in the second-half, and were eventually rewarded for their efforts as Daniel Sturridge curled a sensational strike past Kepa Arrizabalaga in the dying embers.

So with the score finishing 1-1 on the night, how did the players rate?

Chelsea

Kepa Arrizabalaga – 6 – Produced a number of fine saves and looked relaxed throughout the match, but he could only get a modicum of a fingertip to Sturridge’s late curling effort.    

Cesar Azpilicueta – 6 – Had the ominous task of defending against Mane, but he stood up to the challenge well, and produced an assured performance in keeping the Senegalese star quiet.

Antonio Rudiger – 8 – An authoritative performance from the industrious German defender. Formed an effective centre-back partnership with Luiz to stifle Liverpool’s sensational trident, and made a world-class last ditch save to keep Salah out – that challenge was as good as scoring a goal.  

David Luiz – 7 – As the season has progressed it seems almost criminal how Luiz was dropped last campaign. The dynamic defender was solid against one of world football’s most potent attacking forces.

Marcos Alonso – 6 – More widely known for his attacking credentials, the Spaniard was very sturdy in carrying out his defensive duties, and never shied away from progressing forward into the final third.

N’Golo Kante – 6 – Still coming to grips with his more advanced role, Kante was as tenacious and dogged as ever in the centre of the park, providing immense energy and vigour as Chelsea pressed with intensity.

Jorginho – 7 – Chelsea’s metronome in the middle of the park. Jorginho worked well to alleviate pressure when Liverpool ramped up the tempo; always providing a cool head and composing presence in midfield.  

Mateo Kovacic – 6 – The Croat played with an infectious intensity that tied in well with Sarri’s high press. This match was a battle of the midfields, and Kovacic was central the intense warfare happening in the middle of the park – he is now starting to look like a very shrewd signing.        

Willian – 5 – Not quite on the same level as his attacking Belgian counterpart, but the Brazilian always looked lively, and threatened when the ball found his feet

Eden Hazard – 8 – Another scintillating performance from the Chelsea talisman. Played with his usual attacking panache and thwarted the Liverpool defence for the second time in the space of three days.   

Olivier Giroud – 5 – The Frenchman struggled to find his footing in this match, taking the least amount of touches of any outfield player in the first-half with just 14, while he only fashioned 11 passes in the first 45 minutes – again, the least amount of any player. And that pretty much summed up Giroud’s performance: quiet but physically imposing.   

Substitutes:

Alvaro Morata (for Olivier Giroud 65) – 5 – Struggled to impose himself, and like Giroud this was not a match for the No. 9s.

Victor Moses (for Willian 73) – 5 – Brought fresh energy and legs to Chelsea, and threatened on a few occasions.

Ross Barkley (for Mateo Kovacic) – N/A –  Had little time to make a real impact on proceedings.  

Liverpool

Alisson – 6 – Produced the first meaningful save of the match after pawing away a Willian effort, but could do nothing moments later when Hazard rifled a bullet strike past him. Other than the goal, the Brazilian looked assured between the sticks, and comfortable with his distribution.

Trent Alexander-Arnold – 6 – Provided an excellent outlet for Liverpool down the right, linking up with Salah exceptionally well as the Reds tried to find a breakthrough. Had the exceptionally difficult task of trying to contain Hazard, and while the Belgian netted the winner, Alexander-Arnold contested an excellent battle with him.    

Joe Gomez – 6 – A solid enough performance from Gomez. Looked confident and composed at the back; Liverpool’s defence could only stand and watch as Hazard produced another mesmeric goal.

Virgil van Dijk – 7 – Another commanding performance from Van Dijk. The world’s most expensive defender kept Giroud quiet all game and dominated in the air.      

Andrew Robertson – 6 – Alongside Alexander-Arnold, the pair provided excellent width for Liverpool as they tried to penetrate a formidable Chelsea defence, but his surging runs often left space in behind, and he was unable to produce the killer delivery for his side.    

James Milner – 6 – Played in his typical workmanlike fashion, the seasoned midfield was the elder statesman in the middle of the park, providing an assured head, and always made himself available for his team-mates.   

Jordan Henderson – 4 – A poor man’s Jorginho. Henderson simply does not play with the nonchalant elegance or tranquility of the Italian maestro, and that was the difference today: midfield composure. The England international failed to really impose himself on the tempo of the match.

Georginio Wijnaldum – 6 – Liverpool’s busiest player, the Dutchman saw plenty of the ball and made more passes than any of his team-mates but, like we saw last week when Jorginho broke the passing record, if you can’t play the decisive ball, then you will struggle to break teams down.     

Mohamed Salah – 5 – An atypical display from the Egyptian as he failed to break down a resolute Liverpool defence during his time on the pitch. He was the more lively and threatening forward in Klopp’s attacking trio, but he ultimately failed to punish his former club.  

Roberto Firmino – 5 – Squandered a glorious chance in the second half and really struggled to stamp his authority on the Chelsea defence as the Reds struggled to bring the Brazilian into the match.

Sadio Mane – 6 – The Senegal international made a number of promising runs, but fell to the ground too easy – far too lightweight – and he really failed to fashion a clear-cut chance for himself. This was anything but a vintage display from the usually brilliant pace-merchant.

Substitutes:

Xherdan Shaqiri (for Mohamed Salah 66) – 5 – Missed the chance of the match, but Sturridge spared his blushes with a late finish.

Naby Keita (for Jordan Henderson 78) – 5 – Came on for the tired Henderson, and certainly added fresh impetus. 

Daniel Sturridge (for James Milner 86) – 7 –  Came on and saved Liverpool from their first league defeat of the season.

The post Every player rated as Chelsea hold Liverpool to end Reds’ perfect start appeared first on Squawka News.



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