Liverpool vs Chelsea: No Salah, no problem as Klopp's men thrash the Blues at Anfield
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Liverpool vs Chelsea || Imago

Liverpool vs Chelsea: No Salah, no problem as Klopp's men thrash the Blues at Anfield

Stephen Oladehinde 23:24 - 31.01.2024

Liverpool found it easy against Chelsea as they secured maximum points and moved five points clear of Man City.

Chelsea travel to Anfield to face Klopp’s men as they look to continue their impressive form this season.

However, they were thrashed by the Reds 4-1, with Liverpool continuing their chase for the quadruple trophy.

Jota and Conor Bradley gave Liverpool the lead in the first half before Szoboszlai made it three in the second half. Nkunku scored a consolation goal for Chelsea before Luis Diaz scored the Reds fourth goal to seal the win.

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As it happened 

Alexis Mac Allister returned to the Liverpool starting XI for the game against Chelsea, with Virgil van Dijk, Luis Díaz and Dominik Szoboszlai also starting.

Chelsea made just one change from the side that drew 0-0 with Aston Villa in the FA Cup last time out with full-back Ben Chilwell coming and Alfie Gilchrist dropping to the bench.

Liverpool started the first half with much intensity and pressing which gave the Chelsea team a lot of problems playing from the back.

Their pressure played off in the 23rd minute Diogo Jota somehow got in between two Chelsea defenders, before slotting the ball home.

Diogo Jota scores Liverpool's opening goal || Imago
Diogo Jota scores Liverpool's opening goal || Imago

It did not take long before Liverpool doubled their lead in the 39th minute when Luis Diaz picked out Conor Bradley in space on the right. 

The youngster bursts away from Raheem Sterling before slamming a shot into the bottom corner from 16 yards.

The Reds also had the chance to make it three from the penalty spot after Jota was fouled by Disasi but Nunez could only strike the ball to the crossbar, with the first half ending 2-0 in favour of Liverpool.

The second half started and Liverpool continued from where they stopped with their high pressing.

In the 65th minute, Liverpool made it three after Virgil van Dijk played a brilliant crossfield diagonal to Bradley, who left a defender in his wake before crossing for Dominik Szoboszlai, who headed home.

Bradley scores his first goal for Liverpool || Imago
Bradley scores his first goal for Liverpool || Imago

Chelsea got a goal back for themselves in the 71st minute when Christopher Nkunku’s quick feet beat two Liverpool defenders and drilled a low shot into the bottom corner.

Liverpool did not sit back but instead pushed for the fourth goal of the game and got it when Darwin Nunez put in a cross from the left for Luis Diaz to ghost in and slide home from close range.

The referee ended the game with Liverpool showing an excellent display to breeze past Pochettino's men at Anfield.