Liverpool participant scores vs Chelsea as 4 5/10s flop throughout bore draw
Liverpool were held to a 1-1 draw by Chelsea at Anfield in the Premier League, with Ryan Gravenberch’s stunning opener cancelled out by a Wesley Fofana touch from Enzo Fernandez’s free-kick
Chelsea and Liverpool played out a 1-1 draw(Image: Getty Images)
Liverpool stumbled to a point against Chelsea with their 1-1 stalemate at Anfield. Arne Slot’s side were outplayed by a team arriving on the back of a dreadful run of form, yet toiled from the moment they broke the deadlock in the sixth minute.
Ryan Gravenberch sent Anfield into raptures with a magnificent curling strike into the top corner. Chelsea then levelled when Enzo Fernandez’s wide free-kick bypassed everyone in the penalty area except for a slight Wesley Fofana deflection, to draw level in a goal that had been brewing.
The Reds escaped punishment when Cole Palmer’s finish was disallowed for an offside in the build-up involving Marc Cucurella, before Curtis Jones saw a goal of his own ruled out for a similar infringement and neither side could locate a decisive strike. Here, Daily Star Sport assesses the Liverpool players…
Giorgi Mamardashvili, 7 – Returned in place of the injured Freddie Woodman and produced some excellent saves from Cucurella and Fernandez, reports the Express.
Curtis Jones, 6 – Continues to find life difficult at right-back with Marc Cucurella repeatedly finding space. Created problems when venturing forward, though such opportunities were scarce.
Ibrahima Konate, 5 – Some erratic distribution put his teammates in difficulty. Limped off after 75 minutes.
Virgil van Dijk, 7 – Required to produce an exquisite header to prevent Chelsea from equalising just moments after Gravenberch’s opener. Should have put Liverpool two up as well after finding space at the far post in the 11th minute. One of his stronger displays this campaign but still couldn’t manage a clean sheet. Rattled the crossbar with a late header from a corner.
Milos Kerkez, 6 – Linked up nicely with Ngumoha at times but struggled when Chelsea cranked up the heat going the other direction.
Ryan Gravenberch, 8 – Two flawless touches. One to shift the ball from his feet on the area’s edge, and another to bend a strike past Filip Jorgensen in the Chelsea net for the opening goal.
Alexis Mac Allister, 5 – Nullified by the Chelsea engine room. Supporters will question why Jones isn’t deployed in Mac Allister’s role with Frimpong dropping back into defence.
Dominik Szoboszlai, 6 – One of his more subdued outings in Liverpool colours this term, though he remained dangerous from dead balls. Struck the woodwork in the second period.
Jeremie Frimpong, 5 – Provided minimal attacking thrust and is becoming a significant concern, with Slot refusing to deploy the Dutchman at right-back either. At times looked uncertain about his positioning, with Jones granted greater attacking licence in the second period.
Cody Gakpo, 5 – Should have positioned himself ahead of Wesley Fofana and intercepted Fernandez’s free-kick, which found the back of the net. But Gakpo delivered another woeful display in attack, which appears to be the norm whether he operates wide or centrally. Carelessly strayed offside when heading back for Jones to tap home from close range.
Rio Ngumoha, 7 – Provided a desperately needed dose of unpredictability to the Liverpool side and emerged as the standout performer of the Liverpool front three. Anfield erupted into a chorus of boos when the teenager was substituted before Gakpo and Frimpong.
Alexander Isak (66′), 6 – Moved into the central role as Gakpo shifted back to his wide position. But he received precious little service and at this stage, will be longing for a torturous season to reach its conclusion.
Joe Gomez (77′), 6 – Replaced the injured Konate and managed to keep Joao Pedro largely quiet. Cautioned for a challenge on Fernandez.
Federico Chiesa (77′), 6 – Handed the opportunity to take Gakpo’s place, surprisingly on the left flank, but struggled to get meaningful possession of the ball.
