LIVERPOOL 1-1 CHELSEA: Ryan Gravenberch fired the hosts in front early in proceedings but Enzo Fernandez levelled for the Blues before the break
Arne Slot
Arne Slot was booed by Liverpool fans during their draw against Chelsea(Image: Ryan Browne/Shutterstock)
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Chelsea finally ended their losing run as the Blues came away from Anfield with a draw - much to the chagrin of Liverpool's fans.
The Kop made their voices heard when Arne Slot replaced Rio Ngumoha with Alexander Isak in the second half as they saw the Reds fail to get the better of Chelsea.
Ryan Gravenberch fired the hosts ahead in sublime fashion early in the piece, curling past Filip Jorgensen in the Chelsea goal from the edge of the box.
But Enzo Fernandez's cross, which may or may not have taken a touch from Wesley Fofana on the way through, levelled for Chelsea before the break.
The Blues had a goal ruled out for offside in the second half but the match ended in a draw, which drew more boos from the home support. Here are five talking points from Anfield...
1. Grav some of that!
Gravenberch curls past Jorgensen in the Chelsea goal
Gravenberch curled past Jorgensen in the Chelsea goal(Image: Peter Byrne/PA Wire)
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Only five minutes had passed when Liverpool took the lead, and it came from a curious situation. Dominik Szoboszlai, all of 40 yards from goal, lined up a free-kick.
Such is his ferocious power, Chelsea took it seriously and formed a wall which ultimately blocked the Hungarian's ambitious effort.
But the ball broke free to the right and Ryan Gravenberch collected it on the edge of the area before curling a sumptuous strike past FIlip Jorgensen in the Chelsea goal.
It was an eye-catching strike, but the Swede will be disappointed when he sees the replay. Gravenberch caught it well but it's not near the corner, and Jorgensen should have been able to get across.
2. Fofana's golden touch... or was it?
Fofana and Fernandez celebrate
Fofana got the slightest of touches to Fernandez's cross(Image: Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
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As the first half went on, Chelsea got stronger and stronger and were well worth their leveller. Enzo Fernandez's free-kick was swung on from the right, doubtless as a cross, but looked to have crept all the way in to restore parity.
But Wesley Fofana swung a leg at it and wheeled away as if he had scored the equaliser, but in his celebration clearly told Fernandez the goal was his.
However, some forensic TV analysis appeared to show Fofana did indeed get a touch before the ball nestled in the bottom corner, although the goal is, as yet, still being credited to Fernandez.
The Argentine was central to Chelsea's fightback in the first period and could have put the Blues in front shortly afterwards. He sprung the Liverpool defence between Curtis Jones and Ibrahima Konate but his powerful effort was saved by Giorgi Mamardashvili.
3. Blues' VAR woe
Cole Palmer celebrates before his goal was ruled out by VAR
Palmer thought he had put Chelsea in front(Image: Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
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Chelsea thought they had gone in front early in the second half, only for VAR to intervene on the tightest of offside calls.
Marc Cucurella was a constant threat on the Blues' left and was played in to centre a cross which ricocheted off Virgil van Dijk into Giorgi Mamardashvili.
The ball then came out to Cole Palmer who couldn't miss from close range as the Chelsea fans behind the goal rejoiced.
However, despite the lack of flag, VAR adjudged Cucurella to have been offside from the initial pass. The semi-automated technology showed his shoulder narrowly in front of the deepest defender Curtis Jones.
4. Kop make themselves heard
Ngumoha is replaced by Isak
Ngumoha was replaced by Isak
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It's fair to say the number of discerning voices towards Arne Slot have grown over the course of the campaign at Anfield, and they made their feelings clear in the second half here.
The Dutchman decided to take off the lively Rio Ngumoha for Alexander Isak on 67 minutes to a chorus of boos from those on the Kop and in other home areas. And the boos were loud and unmistakeable.
Ngumoha has already established himself as a fan favourite at Anfield despite his tender years with his industrious performances and Reds fans probably thought Cody Gakpo was a more suitable candidate to be replaced for the final throes.
Interim Chelsea boss Calum McFarlane
Interim Chelsea boss Calum McFarlane(Image: Ryan Browne/Shutterstock)
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It's not far-fetched to think we could see a new face in both dugouts for these two teams come August.
It would have seemed unthinkable when Arne Slot led Liverpool to the league title last year, but this result leaves them a whopping 17 points behind pace-setting Arsenal who also have a game in hand.
Liverpool should retain their place in the Champions League, but the same cannot be said of Chelsea. They sit ninth going into the remainder of this weekend's top-flight fixtures, nine points behind fifth-placed Aston Villa.
Even sixth is starting to look fanciful, which could be enough for a spot at Europe's top table if Villa win the Europa League and stay in their current league position.
But interim boss Calum McFarlane does have an FA Cup final against Manchester City to look forward to next week.
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