Chelsea draw unlucky against Liverpool
Chelsea changed the general, while Liverpool changed to six players in the main squad compared to the last match losing to Man City 1-4. But the results on the field were still not as good as the two teams. Chelsea went through the second consecutive game without scoring at Stamford Bridge, and Liverpool could not break the circuit for four games without a win.
Based on expected goals (xG), the away team will feel lucky to have ended a three-match losing streak. Liverpool has an xG of just 0.38, while Chelsea has a 2.29. The home team missed a series of delicious opportunities, and were denied two goals. Chelsea can not rise to the top half of the scoreboard, and with Liverpool, the hope of attending the Champions League next season is also less after the 0-0 draw.
Under the guidance of interim coach Bruno Saltor, defensive midfielder N'Golo Kante returned to the main squad after eight months of convalescence. On the other side of the front line, coach Jurgen Klopp gave the wings of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Andy Robertson as well as two attacking stars Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo as reserves. Virgil Van Dijk is also absent due to illness. With the squad not the strongest, Liverpool was soon cornered and only escaped defeat thanks to the ungainly Chelsea players.
In the 5th minute, Mateo Kovacic escaped to trick the goalkeeper Alisson. In front of the empty goal, the Croatian midfielder finished too lightly, letting midfielder Ibrahim Konate clear the ball right in front of the goal line. Seven minutes later, it was Konate's turn to be overtaken by Kai Havertz, but Alisson corrected his teammate when he blocked the Chelsea striker's shot from close range.
A few days ago, Chelsea were empty despite finishing 26 times in a 0-2 defeat against Aston Villa. When receiving Liverpool, the London team only finished 12 times, but the opportunities were even better. Chelsea even put the ball into Alisson's net twice, but both were denied. In the first half, Reece James volleyed a goal, but Enzo Fernandez was offside in the next situation. Early in the second half, Havertz finished hitting Alisson. The ball hit the German striker's hand and flew into the Liverpool net, but the referee canceled the goal after consulting VAR.
Havertz and Kovacic were the most to blame on the Chelsea side, when they constantly missed opportunities to face ten in the innings. Joao Felix also failed to eat in two obvious situations. Liverpool also had a few chances throughout the game, but overall, Chelsea kicked more cohesively. Ben Chilwell and Reece James created many waves on the flanks, while Kante and Kovacic almost dominated the midfield.
Since the 7-0 victory over Man Utd, Liverpool have only added one goal in four matches, having problems controlling the game and creating opportunities. The visitors confused Chelsea at the end of the first half, but Fabinhon and Joe Gomez failed to take advantage of the opportunity. In the second half, Liverpool were completely underdog, only finishing once.
Chelsea have not been able to improve the 11th place. They are four points behind Liverpool - the team ranked eighth and seven points behind the European Cup group. Of the two teams, only Chelsea have hope in Europe this season. In the middle of next week, they will be guests at Real, in the quarter-final first leg of the Champions League.
