CHEKI MTANANGE WA LIVERPOOL NA CHELSEA

Steven Gerrard chases down Eden Hazard during the opening exchanges at Anfield
Steven Gerrard chases down Eden Hazard during the opening exchanges at Anfield
Raheem Sterling (on floor) slides in and challenges Chelsea full back Branislav Ivanovic
Raheem Sterling (on floor) slides in and challenges Chelsea full back Branislav Ivanovic
Can lets fly and his shot from 25 yards led to Liverpool's opening goal (via a deflection)
Can lets fly and his shot from 25 yards led to Liverpool's opening goal (via a deflection)
Can jumps for joy after scoring the opener - the midfielder's first goal for Liverpool
Emre Can's goal came after a 23-pass move by Liverpool - click here for more from our brilliant Match Zone
Emre Can's goal came after a 23-pass move by Liverpool - click here for more from our brilliant Match Zone
Cahill (centre) shoots straight at Mignolet (left) but the ball went over the line for Chelsea's equaliser after 14 minutes
Cahill (centre) shoots straight at Mignolet (left) but the ball went over the line for Chelsea's equaliser after 14 minutes
The Chelsea centre half wheels away after scoring his side's leveller at Anfield
The Chelsea centre half wheels away after scoring his side's leveller at Anfield
The Goal Decision System showed that Cahill's shot did cross the line
The Goal Decision System showed that Cahill's shot did cross the line

DISTANCE COVERED STATS 

                               MINS PLD    KM    MILES
Liverpool                                  111.5    69.2   
Jordan Henderson        90          11.6      7.2
Steven Gerrard             90          11.1      6.9
Alberto Moreno             90          10.8      6.7
Chelsea                                     109.7    68.2
Cesc Fabregas             90          12.4      7.7
Nemanja Matic              90          11.8      7.4
Oscar                            90          11.6      7.2
  • Data courtesy of the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index, the Official Player Rating Index of the Barclays Premier League
That said, it took time to achieve and that is to Liverpool’s credit. They were better than they have been, especially in those opening exchanges, when they energy of their game did hark back to last season and temporarily disrupted Chelsea’s progress.
They started in a frenzy. Emre Can’s first-minute shot was deflected wide by John Terry but when he tried again on nine minutes, Gary Cahill got in the way and diverted it past his keeper and Anfield once again roared with kind of belief that so energised the team last season.
This being Chelsea though, they were not swept away by the whirlwind. Cesc Fabregas, who like Ramires was playing with an injury which Mourinho said may cost them games later in the month, took the corner on 14 minutes which was met by Diego Costa who flicked on for John Terry to head from close range.
Simon Mignolet produced a superb reaction save and seemed to have done the same from Cahill’s scuffed shot from the rebound. But the goal-line technology showed the ball over the line. Of course, it all occurred in front of the Kop, scene of Luis Garcia’s ghost goal of folklore. This time, however, there was no debate. ‘Everyone knows this is truth and that is fantastic for us as professional and for the crowd, as they know it’s true, and for the referees,’ said Mourinho.
The same could not be said for the contentious decisions that followed. Raheem Sterling's mis-hit was stopped by the arm of a diving Cahill on 26 minutes but referee Taylor missed that and Alberto Moreno’s block with his arm on 36 minutes, another clear penalty of the three he should have awarded in the game. 
Mario Balotelli has a word with John Terry (on floor) following a challenge between the pair
Mario Balotelli has a word with John Terry (on floor) following a challenge between the pair
Terry (second right) heads the ball clear and relieves the pressure on the Chelsea defence
Terry (second right) heads the ball clear and relieves the pressure on the Chelsea defence
Balotelli holds off Cesc Fabregas while Nemanja Matic watches on keenly
Balotelli holds off Cesc Fabregas while Nemanja Matic watches on keenly
Ramires puts his forearm into Raheem Sterling's face - but it was the Liverpool man who was booked
Ramires puts his forearm into Raheem Sterling's face - but it was the Liverpool man who was booked
martin Skrtel (left) and Diego Costa square up and the pair were at each other through the entire first half
martin Skrtel (left) and Diego Costa square up and the pair were at each other through the entire first half
Skrtel (second left) is ushered away by Fabregas at half-time after another clash with Costa (third right, partially obscured)
Skrtel (second left) is ushered away by Fabregas at half-time after another clash with Costa (third right, partially obscured)
Moreno’s misdemeanour came within an extraordinary spell of Chelsea pressure in which Liverpool simply could not get out of their half. Frustration reached a climax when Gerrard attempted to clear only to collide with Jordan Henderson and Anfield howled with indignation for, at the moment, it felt respite would never come.
Blocks from Glen Johnson- at least three – and Dejan Lovren were responsible for holding Chelsea at bay. All the while, Diego Costa and Martin Skrtel were conducting a battle that appeared to be a cross between heavyweight boxing and hand-to-hand wrestling.
If ever a team needed half time, it was Liverpool. But they did emerge for the second half somewhat calmer. True they needed a Lovren header to prevent Eden Hazard’s lovely chipped pass reaching Costa. But equally, when Sterling cut inside Ivanovic on 54 minutes, he forced a sharp save from Courtois.
The breakthrough came on 66 minutes when Cesar Azpilicueta admirably refused to give up on a lost cause and – just – kept the ball in when chasing down the left wing. He then brushed Philippe Coutinho aside on his way to goal. Mignolet deflected his cross but only into the path of Costa who, inside the penalty area, finished as expected.
Gerrard and Balotelli focused during the warm-up before the lunchtime clash against Chelsea
Gerrard and Balotelli focused during the warm-up before the lunchtime clash against Chelsea
Costa attempts an overhead kick as he has his short pulled by Liverpool defender Alberto Moreno (left)
Costa attempts an overhead kick as he has his short pulled by Liverpool defender Alberto Moreno (left)
Costa's shirt was ripped during one of his many battles with Liverpool's defenders
Balotelli goes down under pressure from Matic and appeals to the referee as the ball squirts away
Balotelli goes down under pressure from Matic and appeals to the referee as the ball squirts away
Costa is congratulated by Willian after scoring Chelsea's second goal
Costa is congratulated by Willian after scoring Chelsea's second goal
Liverpool felt the ball had gone out in the build-up to Chelsea's winner but the officials thought Cesar Azpilicueta kept it in
Liverpool felt the ball had gone out in the build-up to Chelsea's winner but the officials thought Cesar Azpilicueta kept it in
Jose Mourinho continues to have a vice-like grip on Liverpool after Costa scored the winner
Jose Mourinho continues to have a vice-like grip on Liverpool after Costa scored the winner
Balotelli takes off his gloves after being substituted following another ineffective display
Balotelli takes off his gloves after being substituted following another ineffective display
Costa, who wound up Liverpool's defenders all game, was booked for this challenge on Glen Johnson
Costa, who wound up Liverpool's defenders all game, was booked for this challenge on Glen Johnson
Cahill appeared to move his arm towards the ball near the end but the referee did not give a penalty
Cahill appeared to move his arm towards the ball near the end but the referee did not give a penalty
Gerrard appeals in vain to Anthony Taylor for a penalty for handball - the referee was not interested
Gerrard appeals in vain to Anthony Taylor for a penalty for handball - the referee was not interested
Four of Liverpool's returning players (from left) Balotelli, Sterling, Philippe Coutinho and Jordan Henderson warm-up
Four of Liverpool's returning players (from left) Balotelli, Sterling, Philippe Coutinho and Jordan Henderson warm-up

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