Chelsea beaten by title-chasing Liverpool

Liverpool 2 Chelsea 0

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Two goals in as many minutes early in the second half condemned Chelsea to defeat at Anfield.

Sadio Mane scored with a simple finish after being found by Jordan Henderson’s cross six minutes after the interval.

Former Chelsea man Mohamed Salah then doubled title-chasing Liverpool’s lead with a brilliant goal, darting in from the right and sending an unstoppable left-footed strike beyond keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Blues boss Maurizio Sarri, who opted to start with Eden Hazard as a so-called false nine, responded to the goals by bringing on striker Gonzalo Higuain in place of Callum Hudson-Odoi.

Chelsea were immediately transformed by Hazard reverting to his natural position and the Belgian twice went close to pulling a goal back.

He fired against the post after drifting in behind the Liverpool defence to collect Emerson’s ball into the box.

Another chance dropped to Hazard a couple of minutes later but he failed to connect cleanly after being found by Willian, and keeper Alisson was able to make the save.

Had Chelsea scored during that spell of pressure there might have been a way back, but Liverpool were worthy winners.

The Blues also have an injury concern over Antonio Rudiger, who was helped from the pitch four minutes before half-time with what appeared to be a knee problem.