Liverpool sealed their seventh successive victory in all competitions through a 2-1 win against Chelsea at Anfield and further managed to restore their lead in the table in the Premier League.
It was a slow start, and until the 23rd minute, it was almost as if the teams were waiting for the other to make the first mistake when Mohamed Salah scored from the spot after Levi Colwill’s foul on Curtis Jones. Then before half-time, another VAR controversy saw Liverpool denied a second penalty when Robert Sánchez clashed with Jones, the review showing he got to the ball first.
Chelsea responded early in the second half, as Nicolas Jackson drew them level in the 49th minute, after VAR overturned the flag for offside. But Liverpool were quick to restore their lead three minutes later, through Jones, tapping in from Salah’s perfectly-placed cross.
Chelsea huffed and puffed in search of a way back into the contest, but Liverpool, marshaled by manager Arne Slot, dug deep in defense. Alexis Mac Allister and Joe Gomez were among those introduced off the bench to see Liverpool over the line. Chelsea pressed for an equalizer, which would have been undeserved on Liverpool, but was unable to find the breakthrough as Enzo Maresca’s side remain sixth, seven points behind Liverpool, who moved a point clear of Manchester City at the summit.