Liverpool vs Chelsea 4-1: English Premier League – as it happened
All the updates from the English Premier League clash between rivals Liverpool and Chelsea at Anfield.
This page is now closed. Thanks for joining us. These were the updates as Liverpool beat Chelsea in the Premier League on Wednesday, January 31:
This page is now closed. Thanks for joining us. These were the updates as Liverpool beat Chelsea in the Premier League on Wednesday, January 31:
- Liverpool thrash Chelsea 4-1 at Anfield and go five points clear of Arsenal at the top of the table.
- Conor Bradley inspired the rout by scoring one and getting two assists, and Liverpool could have scored many more – Darwin Nunez hit the woodwork four times.
- Liverpool, whose manager Jurgen Klopp will leave the club at the end of the season, are now unbeaten in 15 games in the league.
- Manchester City beat Burnley 3-1, while Tottenham Hotspur won 3-2 at home to Brentford in Wednesday’s other fixtures.
- Live updates
- Match stats
- Lineups
That’s all from us tonight
Thank you for joining us. Catch you at the next one!
‘I feel like it’s a dream’, Bradley says
“It’s a very proud moment, something I dreamed of for a long time. I feel like it’s a dream. It’s unbelievable,” Conor Bradley told TNT Sports.
“I just couldn’t believe my goal went in. I didn’t know what to do. I went over to the corner and did a knee slide. It was brilliant, so it was.
“It was unfortunate the way Trent got injured. I just had to try to take my chance. I feel I’ve done pretty well.”
Only silver lining for Chelsea tonight
Christopher Nkunku in 45 mins vs. Liverpool:
92% pass accuracy
21 touches
11/12 passes completed
1 shot on target
1 goalChelsea fans will be happy to see him back. 🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/jbk5lKZ937
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) January 31, 2024
Klopp is pumped up
Klopp gives the Kop what they want. The German brings out his iconic fist-pump celebration with a special vigour, and Liverpool fans respond with equal gusto.
Anfield was at full force tonight, and the team’s performance matched the energy in the stands.
What a way for Klopp to bring up 200 wins in the Premier League!
Pochettino having a word with the officials
Mauricio Pochettino engages the match officials in conversation on the pitch. It must have something to do with the penalty claim for the foul on Nkunku at 3-1. It could have offered a way back in the game for the Blues, but Pochettino knows he can’t hide behind the officiating tonight.
His team have been outclassed in all departments by Liverpool.
Full-time
Liverpool win and consolidate their lead at the top of the table and go five points clear.
FT: Liverpool 4-1 Chelsea
The Kop in fine voice
The Klopp song is being belted out for the umpteenth time today. The Kop have been in fine form today, and why wouldn’t they be? Their team has been on top right from minute one.
95 mins: Liverpool 4-1 Chelsea
Gakpo’s shot saved
Gakpo receives the ball on the edge of the box after neat work from Nunez, and he unleashes a shot from 25 yards, but it’s tame and easily stopped by Petrovic.
94 mins: Liverpool 4-1 Chelsea
Mac Allister in discomfort
He’s limping off the pitch, with a physio by his side. With all five substitutions made, he has no option but to battle on.
88 mins: Liverpool 4-1 Chelsea
Nunez sets new PL record
The commentator has said that the four times Nunez has hit the woodwork today is the most by anyone in a Premier League game.
Meanwhile, Palmer goes off for Chelsea and is replaced by Casadei.
85 mins: Liverpool 4-1 Chelsea
Change for Liverpool
Jones goes off, and 18-year-old Bobby Clark comes on in his place.
82 mins: Liverpool 4-1 Chelsea
GOAL!
Diaz scores!
Nunez outmuscles Silva and breaks down the left before his ball across the goal is swept home by Diaz at the far post. He shouldn’t have been allowed to get in front of Badiashile so easily.
78 mins: Liverpool 4-1 Chelsea
Nunez hits the post … again
His header from close range bangs strikes the bar. The third time today he’s been denied by the woodwork.
76 mins: Liverpool 3-1 Chelsea
Chelsea enjoying a spell of posession
The Nkunku goal has given Chelsea new life. There’s more confidence in their passing and purpose in their movement. That Mudryk chance early in the first half must be stinging even more now.
75 mins: Liverpool 3-1 Chelsea
GOAL!
Nkunku scores for Chelsea!
Really good goal by the France international, who finishes clinically after neat footwork in the box to outfox the swarming red shirts.
70 mins: Liverpool 3-1 Chelsea
Changes for Liverpool
Bradley, Szoboszlai, Gomez and Jota all go off.
Alexander-Arnold, Elliot, Robertson and Gakpo come on.
69 mins: Liverpool 3-0 Chelsea
Bradley at ease on the big stage
Just a few moments ago, an audible gasp went up around Anfield as Bradley acrobatically brought down a lofted ball from Diaz. He followed that up minutes later with his second assist of the game.
The confidence running through the Northern Irishman’s veins feels tangible. He’s hardly put a foot wrong tonight.
Meanwhile, Chelsea have got Carney Chukwuemeka on for Caicedo.
67 mins: Liverpool 3-0 Chelsea
GOAL!
Szoboszlai scores!
Bradley puts in a delicious cross from the right and the Hungary international finds himself in space and emphatically heads home. Far too easy.
65 mins: Liverpool 3-0 Chelsea
Nunez still waiting for his goal
The ball finds its way to him in the box but his shot is straight at Petrovic. You’ve got to admire his tenacity and ability to not let his head drop.
62 mins: Liverpool 2-0 Chelsea
Liverpool have cooled off
The press isn’t as high or hard, for that matter. They’re still firmly in the ascendancy, but it’s not as heavy-metal as the first half.
Klopp and his side might already have one eye on Emirates on Sunday.
56 mins: Liverpool 2-0 Chelsea
Mudryk skies from close range
A rare break for Chelsea, with Gusto playing an inviting ball across the box to Mudryk, who despite having time, takes it on his first touch and sends it into Row Z.
Pochettino doesn’t look pleased. That goal would have changed the complexion of this game.
51 mins: Liverpool 2-0 Chelsea
Half time changes for Chelsea
Gusto, Mudryk and Nkunku coming on for Chelsea.
Chilwell, Gallagher and Madueke have gone off.
46 mins: Liverpool 2-0 Chelsea
Back under way
Can Chelsea turn this around?
46 mins: Liverpool 2-0 Chelsea
Tough half for Pochettino’s men
That’s half-time. #CFC will be relieved to have a 15 minute break from the onslaught. #LIVCHE
— Simon Johnson (@SJohnsonSport) January 31, 2024
Half-time
Despite the missed penalty, Liverpool are in the ascendancy at Anfield.
HT: Liverpool 2-0 Chelsea