Liverpool missed a vital opportunity to move closer to securing Champions League football next season after being held to a 1-1 draw by Chelsea at Anfield on Saturday.
Ryan Gravenberch gave Liverpool the perfect start with a superb curling effort, but Enzo Fernandez rescued a point for Chelsea when his free-kick evaded everyone in the box before nestling in the bottom corner.
The draw ended Chelsea’s miserable run of six consecutive Premier League defeats, although the Blues can no longer mathematically finish in the top five and remain ninth in the table.
Liverpool, meanwhile, remain fourth and are edging closer to Champions League qualification with a seven-point advantage over sixth-placed AFC Bournemouth, who have three matches remaining.
Boos rang around Anfield at full-time following another underwhelming display from the defending champions, with supporters visibly frustrated by the team’s lack of cutting edge.
Chelsea arrived on Merseyside low on confidence after a damaging home defeat to Nottingham Forest earlier in the week and looked vulnerable again when Liverpool struck after just six minutes.
Teenage winger Rio Ngumoha teed up Gravenberch on the edge of the area, and the Dutch midfielder curled brilliantly into the top corner.
Liverpool’s attacking options were severely weakened by injuries, with Mohamed Salah, Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike unavailable, while Alexander Isak was only fit enough for a place on the bench.
After a bright start, Liverpool allowed Chelsea back into the contest as the visitors gradually gained confidence.
Goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili was forced into action to deny Marc Cucurella before Chelsea found their equaliser 10 minutes before halftime through Fernandez’s teasing delivery.
Despite the frustration, the point leaves Liverpool firmly in the race for a top-four finish, while Chelsea showed signs of improvement ahead of next weekend’s FA Cup final against Manchester City.
Join BusinessDay whatsapp Channel, to stay up to date
Open In Whatsapp
