Liverpool showed they’re here to stay in title race as Arne Slot passes Chelsea test

LIVERPOOL 2-1 CHELSEA: Arne Slot made it seven wins from eight in the league, passing a big test against Chelsea after starting the season with a friendly fixture list

Arne Slot will now struggle to keep a lid on Liverpool’s title aspirations.

This was comfortably Liverpool’s biggest test this season because the Premier League’s fixture computer has given Slot one hell of a welcoming present. And if this was their first major test, then Liverpool passed it with a hard-fought win which shows they have resilience and determination to match their attacking brilliance.

They also did it courtesy of a superb man-of-the-match midfield performance by Curtis Jones who took his chance by scoring, winning a penalty and covering every blade of grass. Jones said in the summer that he wanted to embrace the challenge of holding down a place in Slot’s starting XI and this was a big statement from the local hero.

It was scrappy at times as, once again, more refereeing and VAR controversies threatened to spoil a good game of football. You can be sure that we will not be talking about the standard of officials in this week’s European fixtures in the way that we are doing after every Premier League weekend at the moment.

Liverpool had one penalty, another was chalked off by VAR which then proceeded to miss a huge shout from Chelsea while we had to wait an eternity for an offside check before Nicolas Jackson’s goal was allowed to stand. Best league in the world? Players, managers and, most importantly, the fans do not seem to agree that the Premier League boasts the referees to match.

The first half was a cracker, the second half became bad tempered but the huge roar at the final whistle told its own story of how much this result meant to Liverpool. Slot has now won seven of his first eight Premier League games and the transition from Jurgen Klopp has been seamless which is the biggest possible compliment to the new Liverpool boss.

But you also have to praise Enzo Maresca for the job he is quietly doing at Chelsea because, although this was their second defeat of the season, they were competitive and, in fairness, were missing key defenders in Marc Cucurella and Wesley Fofana. Maresca is getting the best out of Moises Caicedo and they could easily have snatched a point at Anfield as Chelsea are beginning to look more like their old selves.

How impressed have you been with Liverpool’s start to the season? Have your say in the comments section

The difference was often Liverpool’s pace and their ability to get behind. Chelsea defender Tosin Adarabioyo was a little fortunate to escape with a yellow card when Diogo Jota threatened to go clean through. Jota never recovered and went off injured before half time.

Chelsea were excellent in the first 20 minutes but conceded a penalty just before the half hour mark. Levi Colwill just clipped Jones and, while it was soft, there was enough contact. Mo Salah smashed home and has now scored 162 Premier League goals which makes him joint ninth with Jermain Defoe in the all time charts.

Chelsea appealed for a penalty when Trent Alexander-Arnold tripped Jadon Sancho. It looked a big shout but was not given. Then referee John Brooks gave Liverpool another penalty when Chelsea keeper Robert Sanchez wiped out Jones. It could have gone either way but Brooks was sent to the VAR screen, changed his mind and it seems the memo about going with on-field decisions has been ditched.

Chelsea levelled after 48 minutes when Caicedo’s run and through ball released Jackson who slotted home. The flag went up but VAR eventually overruled the decision and it was game on.

But Liverpool regained the lead just three minutes later. Salah’s deep cross found Jones at the back post and the Liverpool midfielder produced a lovely piece of skill to switch his feet, step inside Sanchez and then slot home.

Chelsea pressed for another equaliser all the way into injury time but Liverpool held firm and that just proves they are here to stay in this title race.

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