Liverpool returned to the top of the Premier League table as Curtis Jones hit the winner in an entertaining 2-1 victory over Chelsea at Anfield on Sunday.
Having been knocked off the summit by Manchester City’s last-gasp victory at Wolverhampton Wanderers earlier on Sunday, Liverpool responded by passing arguably their sternest test yet under Arne Slot.
Mohamed Salah’s first-half penalty opened the scoring after Levi Colwill felled Jones, though Chelsea levelled shortly after the interval through a composed Nicolas Jackson finish.
However, it was the impressive duo of Salah and Jones that combined for the decisive goal soon afterwards, the latter scoring on the stretch in front of the Kop.
The victory restores Liverpool’s one-point lead over City, while they are four clear of their next opponents Arsenal.
After surviving an earlier penalty appeal for a challenge on Salah, Colwill clumsily tripped Jones inside the area, allowing the Egyptian to power home from the spot on 29 minutes.
Salah was caught offside when crossing for Cody Gakpo to tap home soon afterwards as the match opened up, with Jackson and Dominik Szoboszlai going close at either end.
Jones thought he had won a second penalty on the stroke of half-time following a challenge from goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, but the on-pitch decision was overturned following a VAR review.
Another VAR intervention went Chelsea’s way as they levelled three minutes into the second half. Jackson was initially ruled offside when slotting home from Moises Caicedo’s through-ball, but that decision was overturned as replays showed Ibrahima Konate played him onside.
That parity lasted just three minutes, though, as Salah’s inswinging cross found Jones at the far post, the midfielder taking a wonderful first touch before prodding past Sanchez.
What the managers said
Arne Slot: “I think if you’re not a Liverpool supporter or Chelsea supporter, you really liked what you saw today. In the end, also if you are a Liverpool supporter you liked what you saw today.”
Enzo Maresca: “The performance was very good. We don’t like to lose games or drop points but if there is a way for you to do so, then this is the way.
“I have been in this stadium many times and seeing Liverpool in their half for a long time is not easy. Overall, we controlled the game and for most parts, we dominated the game. But we lost, we are not happy but as I said, the performance on the ball and off the ball was very good.”