Curtis Jones starred as Liverpool came through an incident-packed clash with Chelsea as 2-1 winners to finish the weekend top of the Premier League, a point ahead of Man City.
While Arsenal had lost at Bournemouth on Saturday, fellow title contenders Man City grabbed a win at Wolves to put the pressure on Arne Slot’s side in a game which the Liverpool boss called their toughest test yet this season. But it was a test Liverpool passed as they embark on a difficult run of fixtures.
Mohamed Salah struck from the penalty spot midway through the first half and although Nicolas Jackson was eventually deemed onside by VAR for his equaliser three minutes into the second period, Jones flicked past Robert Sanchez soon after to restore the Reds’ advantage and ultimately claim the win.
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Curtis Jones restores Liverpool’s lead over Chelsea
The direction of the match could have swung on any number of incidents in the opening 45 minutes, though. The first came after just seven minutes, when Tosin Adarabioyo avoided a red card for a foul on Diogo Jota in similar circumstances to William Saliba’s sending off on Saturday for Arsenal – the covering Levi Colwill and direction of the ball over the top saved the Chelsea man here.
Then followed the first of four penalty calls, with Trent Alexander-Arnold escaping unpunished from an in-game VAR check for stepping on Jadon Sancho’s foot in the box, before Salah was incensed he wasn’t given a spot-kick at the other end when he went down under a challenge from Colwill. Sky Sports’ Gary Neville called for the Egyptian to be booked for simulation.
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Chelsea go level courtesy of Nicolas Jackson
Chelsea defender Colwill gave away a penalty just a minute later, though, when he kicked Jones in the shin. The Liverpool man had made a crucial block on a Cole Palmer shot just seconds before that incident, illustrating his all-action display.
Salah sent Sanchez the wrong way from 12 yards to put Liverpool ahead and thought he’d have another crack from the penalty spot in stoppage time when the keeper tumbled Jones. However, a VAR check led to an overturn of the decision to award Liverpool another penalty when it was spotted Sanchez got to the ball first.
It was a dramatic end to a half which had also seen Cody Gakpo have a goal ruled out for Salah being offside in the build-up and Jackson clip the frame of the Liverpool goal with a drilled shot from a tight angle.
While Jackson did find the net for his eighth goal involvement in his last eight games after the break, it was Jones who had the decisive say with the help of some questionable goalkeeping from Sanchez to make it 10 wins in 11 games for Slot.
Chelsea – who pushed for a second but couldn’t find the cutting edge with a couple of opportunities which came the way of Palmer and a late header over from Renato Veiga – sit sixth, seven points off leaders Liverpool.
Slot: Decisions went against us but we worked hard to win
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Arne Slot reflects on Liverpool’s 2-1 victory over Chelsea and his yellow card booking.
Liverpool boss Arne Slot:
“The most important thing if you want a chance of winning a game like this is you work so hard, as we did.
“We created a few very good chances and we were, in my opinion, a bit unlucky with some decisions being made.
“It could have been a crucial decision to overturn the referee decision on the pitch, which I couldn’t understand. Then there was the decision of the red card, which I saw [for Arsenal] was a red card.
“For us, it’s very good we’ve made a bit of a gap to Chelsea because by the end of the season they will be in and about [the top positions of the league].”
Maresca: We controlled most of the game
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Enzo Maresca was proud of Chelsea’s performance despite their 2-1 defeat to Liverpool and said ‘no one wants to lose but if they are to drop points, this would be the way to do it’.
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca:
“We don’t like to lose or drop points, but I really liked the performance. We deserved something more but the performance was good.
“We controlled most of the game. We had chances, we had possession. We don’t like to lose, but if we have to choose, this is the way. The team was brave on and off the ball.
“I don’t think this game defines where we are. We prepared in the best way, it worked quite well. You have to take chances, but overall I am very happy with the players.”
Analysis: Jones form could mean Liverpool don’t go in for Zubimendi
Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher at Anfield:
“Curtis Jones was brilliant, he was outstanding. He’s still at that stage where he doesn’t know for certain if he is first choice, when you have got [Ryan] Gravenberch and [Alexis] Mac Allister.
“But what a performance that was, when you think of the quality on the pitch and the money that has been spent. For a local lad to be player of the match…
“I wonder if Arne Slot is going to go back in for [Martin] Zubimendi in January, but when you see how he played today you think ‘no’.
“He has to now do it on a consistent basis.”
Four first-half penalty incidents at Anfield
One – Alexander-Arnold on Sancho: not given
Trent Alexander-Arnold stood on Jadon Sancho’s foot but escaped punishment
Trent Alexander-Arnold steps on Jadon Sancho’s foot in the box but despite an in-game VAR check no penalty is awarded. “I don’t think it’s enough [for a penalty],” says Sky Sports’ Gary Neville on co-commentary.
Two – Colwill on Salah: not given
Mohamed Salah goes down under a challenge from Levi Colwill
Mohamed Salah goes to ground in the box after being bumped from behind by Levi Colwill. No penalty is awarded. “Because he’s put his leg across, there is some contact but not enough for a penalty – and not enough to say it’s simulation,” said former Premier League ref Mike Dean on Sky Sports.
Three – Colwill on Jones: penalty awarded
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Mohamed Salah puts Liverpool ahead from the penalty spot
Colwill catches Curtis Jones on the shin and a penalty is awarded. The VAR checks the decision and confirms that contact was sufficient for a penalty. “It’s definitely a penalty,” said Dean.
Four – Sanchez on Jones: penalty awarded but later overturned after VAR check
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Liverpool are denied a second penalty after VAR intervenes
Robert Sanchez rushes out to challenge Jones and tumbles the Liverpool man. A penalty is awarded but VAR sends ref John Brooks to the pitchside monitor, who overturned his decision, with replays showing Sanchez got to the ball first. “I think he plays the ball first. It is clumsy. It looks untidy the way Jones has gone over but there’s going to be an inevitable coming together,” said Dean.
