Liverpool restored their five-point lead at the top of the Premier League with a 4-1 thrashing of Chelsea at Anfield on Wednesday night.
Premier League
Result: Liverpool 4-1 Chelsea
Date: 31 January 2024
Venue: Anfield
The Reds made four changes from their thumping victory over Norwich City in the FA Cup, as Virgil Van Dijk, Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister and Luis Diaz were recalled.
The Blues, meanwhile, handed Ben Chilwell his first start since September following injury, as the only change from their goalless draw against Aston Villa in the FA Cup.
Jurgen Klopp's charges were the most threatening in the opening exchanges, as Darwin Nunez came close to giving them the lead on 16 minutes with a low strike towards the bottom corner that was parried to the post by the reflexes of goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic.
However, Jota eventually broke the deadlock for Liverpool seven minutes later with a composed low shot towards the bottom corner after a through ball by Conor Bradley.
The Reds kept their foot on the gas and Bradley eventually gave them a two-goal cushion, his first goal for the senior team, eight minutes before the break with a diagonal strike past Petrovic after a through ball by Diaz.
Liverpool had a big chance to go 3-0 up after they were awarded a penalty on the stroke of half-time for foul in the box by Benoit Badiashile but Nunez's spot-kick came off the post.
Mauricio Pochettino reacted with attacking changes at half-time, as he brought on Christopher Nkunku and Mykhailo Mudryk in places of Conor Gallagher and Noni Madueke to try to rescue the game.
Chelsea, however, could not build momentum going forward and they went 3-0 down on 65 minutes after Szoboszlai headed home a cross by Bradley.
The Blues finally got on the scoresheet six minutes later after Nkunku reduced the deficit with a snap shot in the box after a through ball by Carney Chukwuemeka.
However, Liverpool were just unstoppable in attack as Diaz ended any hopes of a Chelsea comeback after making it 4-1 in the last nine minutes after he was teed up by Nunez in the box.
The Reds extended their lead at the top of the log to five points, although they have played one more game than second-placed Manchester City.
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