In a thrilling Premier League opener, Chelsea rallied to tie Liverpool 1-1, displaying their improvement under new manager Mauricio Pochettino. Luis Diaz’s quick counterattack goal gave Liverpool the lead in the marquee contest in the 18th minute. Chelsea’s rookie defender Axel Disasi tied the score in the 37th minute with a goal from close range.
Pochettino, making his managerial comeback a year after being dismissed by Paris Saint-Germain, was very happy. “It was difficult from the beginning but how we grew in the game and how we found the way to play and how we started to dominate and push Liverpool deeper and deeper! I am very pleased about everything,” he said, according to an article from latestly.com.
- Both teams had goals disallowed by VAR during the tense first half.
- Interestingly, both Chelsea and Liverpool wanted to recruit Brighton’s Moises Caicedo, a defensive midfielder worth £110 million.
- The fact that Caicedo preferred Chelsea to Liverpool could have effects beyond the draw.
- Both teams need a ball-winning midfielder like the Ecuadorian Caicedo.
Chelsea showed an energy that had never been seen at Stamford Bridge, thanks to Pochettino. Nicolas Jackson, a young striker, was unable to make an impact despite controlling possession and putting pressure on Liverpool. His best chance came in the 71st minute when he sprinted towards the goal, but Alisson Becker made a heroic stop that perfectly captured the tension of the game.
Chelsea under Pochettino displayed a renewed vigour, outplaying Liverpool with a newfound ferocity. Although Nicolas Jackson’s attempts were unsuccessful, Chelsea controlled the action. The struggles of Liverpool’s reorganised midfield, which featured Mac Allister and Szoboszlai, highlighted the absence of Fabinho and Henderson. Klopp didn’t lose faith in his rookies.