Liverpool hosted a Chelsea side arriving on the back of six consecutive Premier League defeats, putting in a performance without any form of identity to share a lacklustre stalemate.
Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea
Premier League (36) | Anfield
May 9, 2026
Goals: Gravenberch 6′; Fernandez 35′
Anfield boos directly warn Arne Slot
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, May 9, 2026: Liverpool's Rio Ngumoha is replaced by substitute Alexander Isak (L) during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Chelsea FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
This marked a very salient moment in the ongoing demise of Liverpool under Arne Slot, as Anfield made its opinion known loud and clear upon the substitution of Rio Ngumoha.
The youngster was withdrawn in the second half for the introduction of Alexander Isak, much to the bewilderment of the Kop and everyone inside the stadium.
The 17-year-old had put in a lively performance and, as usual, looked like Liverpool’s most and perhaps only convincing outlet.
And so to take off Ngumoha, with the record signing centre forward coming on, made no semblance of sense. Less so when it meant keeping Cody Gakpo on the pitch, who had registered the fewest touches among every single player on both sides.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, May 9, 2026: Liverpool's Rio Ngumoha is challenged by Chelsea's Malo Gusto (L) during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Chelsea FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Slot was seen explaining his reasoning to Ngumoha on the touchline, but the boos rang out loud and solemn.
This is important. This isn’t just the match day fans expressing frustration, this is a packed Anfield actively disagreeing with the manager in real time. Conveying in the clearest manner possible that what he is doing is wrong.
This doesn’t happen at Liverpool but, when it does, it means things really have got bad. The eventual stalemate only served to bring further boos at full-time, and this feels like it could be a significant turning point.
Whatever ‘the end’ is supposed to look like, it feels like it has arrived.
Cody Gakpo as solo striker is a pointless endeavour
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, May 9, 2026: Liverpool's Alexis Mac Allister (L) and Cody Gakpo (R) challenges for a header with Chelsea's Levi Colwill during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Chelsea FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Cody Gakpo couldn’t have looked more lost, overlooked and uncomfortable playing through the middle on his own.
Which, against a lacklustre Chelsea side who couldn’t even buy a win heading into this match, is a damning indictment.
The first half saw Gakpo register just six touches, with zero in the opposition’s box. Zero chances created and multiple duels ducked.
Tweaks have to be made when so many injuries occur, but Liverpool have Federico Chiesa on the bench.
Granted, the Italian rarely makes the most convincing case for further game-time, but this plan B project of Gakpo as a makeshift striker is never going to work and will only drawn criticism at a time when pressure is sky high.
Liverpool are passive and purposeless
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, May 9, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Arne Slot during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Chelsea FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
For months, it has been said that Liverpool have no identity and are playing passively, without purpose. At this stage we have to accept this is the new reality.
The manager can point towards having numerous big names constantly unavailable due to injury, or as in the case of Florian Wirtz, with illness. But this is a group of lads who should be able to fall back onto a form of recognised blueprint together by now.
The best managers and coaches stamp their mark upon a squad, regardless of availability. Everyone knows the plan and everyone pulls in the same direction.
It should be so ingrained that any given player should be able to be replaced and a team still function in the same manner.
Looking at Bournemouth over the past 12 months is evidence enough. Andoni Iraola has constantly seen players moved on during his tenure with the Cherries, including the record goal scorer, and yet things continue as usual.
The method is watertight, the understanding is sound and results are still achieved.
Liverpool haven’t once been on this page all season. The rot has set in.
Arne Slot failed to learn Marc Cucurella lesson
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, May 9, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Arne Slot reacts during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Chelsea FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Earlier in the season Liverpool were stung by a late winner at Chelsea and in doing so witnessed the beginning of the fractions between Mo Salah and the coaching staff. The Egyptian was blamed for Marc Cucurella getting in behind again and again, with the Spaniard admitting as much himself during a post-match interview.
And so, six months on, Chelsea arrive at Anfield and we witness exactly the same thing. Long balls spread wide, looped over the top, Cucurella in behind or granted acres of space repeatedly.
It made a mockery of Liverpool, especially after taking the lead against a Chelsea side who have, quite literally, been the most out-of-form team in the top flight.
Jeremie Frimpong needs a definitive position
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, May 9, 2026: Liverpool's Jeremie Frimpong and Chelsea's Jorrel Hato (R) during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Chelsea FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Numerous players aren’t doing enough in a Liverpool shirt right now, but Jeremie Frimpong looks like he’s being subjected to death by a million cuts.
The summer signing looks constantly lost, not really knowing what his remit is or what his teammates want him to do. It’s painful.
A wing-back by trade, Frimpong is now regularly finding himself on the flank while an unorthodox midfielder-cum-defender is filling in behind him. Here, it was Curtis Jones, and the operation was comical from the first whistle.
If the pair weren’t bickering with each other, it was Ibrahima Konate getting dragged over to add to the confusion. It all begs the question – what position has Frimpong actually been brought in to fill?
Or, perhaps now we’re learning the true reality, that the former Bayer Leverkusen man was yet another release-clause market opportunity that adhered nicely to Liverpool’s financial system, and an easy sale later down the line. Either way, it feels like a total farce.