Liverpool beat Chelsea 2-1, but managed to make it as nervy as they possibly could in doing so. The heart rate wasn’t at a safe level for much of that. Here’s how it went, though.
18.28: Before the match it was revealed that Roberto Firmino wouldn’t start due to a minor muscle injury, naturally a lot of heads went — mine included.
20.05: – Daniel Sturridge shoots from the edge of the area and Thibaut Courtois fumbles, will have been relieved to see it not go over the line after letting it go under his body. It took even less time for the Chelsea fans to start chanting about Steven Gerrard…
https://twitter.com/TheAnfieldWrap/status/776859674725408768
20.18: – The first goal of the game comes, putting to bed any arguments about who should start between Lucas Leiva and Dejan Lovren. Philippe Coutinho whipped the ball in from the left hand side and Lovren wass in acres of space at the back post, he peels off and finishes with his right foot.
After a period of utter authority, Lovren superbly finishes off a delightful Coutinho ball to mark #LFC's superiority on the scoreboard. 1-0
— Melissa Reddy (@MelissaReddy_) September 16, 2016
20.26: Sturridge dribbles in from the left hand side and flashes a shot/cross across goal, as the Reds continue to be mustard and stamp their authority.
LFC so on top at the Bridge. Be interesting to see what Conte will pull out of his tactical bag of tricks at the half.
— Tony Evans (@TonyEvans92a) September 16, 2016
20.38: If you missed it, get right on it. Gary Cahill’s weak clearance falls to Jordan Henderson, who lets fly from 25 yards out and it finds the top right corner. Courtois had absolutely no chance. Marko Grujic was dead surprised.
Grujic's reaction to Hendo's goal pic.twitter.com/sYpVAnMjBv
— Ollie (@Can_Ibe_Reus) September 16, 2016
20.48: The Reds led 2-0 at half time, and the realisation started to dawn, for loads of footie experts, that Henderson might not actually be properly shit at footie.
Jordan Henderson's half by numbers vs. Chelsea:
100% take-ons
35 passes completed
4 interceptions
1 stunning goal pic.twitter.com/t8uFlyVnwk— Squawka Football (@Squawka) September 16, 2016
21.15: Divock Origi came on for Sturridge, who might have been nursing an injury. For what seemed like the first time ever there wasn’t a complete social media meltdown. Up the strength in depth Reds.
Sturridge down the tunnel to get treatment.
— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) September 16, 2016
21.18: But then, all of a sudden, the Reds weren’t mustard. Diego Costa finished from close range after Nemanja Matic had managed to work his way to the byline. Was all a bit too easy, to be honest.
https://twitter.com/Andrew_Heaton/status/776878467568852992
21.39: Massive chance for Liverpool as Divock Origi rose to meet a cross from the left hand side. Courtois has somehow kept it out. Although, to be honest, the Belgian did head it downwards right in front of goal. Might be a bit harsh on him, though.
Big chance to seal it for Origi after a superb team passing move. Good save Courtois
— Neil Mellor (@NeilMellor33) September 16, 2016
21.50: The game ends to a city-wide sigh of relief. Kinell, Redmen. Can we not have heart attacks every game, please? Anyway, another big result. Up the Reds.
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Love this. An on the spot match report interspersed with social media snippets. Unique and brilliant. Well done lads. Up the friday night reds.
A fecking huge result. Come on You Mighty Reds.
Kinell is right, but if you were looking at it from a neutral point of view you would have been saying the team in red had it well under control. At least that’s what I was telling myself to stop crapping in the last ten…
Outplayed them thoroughly. Should have been showing them the way to go home way before the final whistle, but you know, three points tonight, seven from nine in three tough away fixtures in that there London. Sound!
It’s weird how when you don’t set your alarm to go off at 3am in Oz to watch your beloved reds, your head just wakes you up!!
But then, that’s what happens when you are born a red….
Oh, also a fantastic win against blue shite!
Loved Klopp’s comment about ” football from Hell .”
And loved the raw nerve intensity in our game at the moment.
I thought Milner struggled at times against Willian .Conte blundered when he took him off.
Fantastic win .
The team are better at holding a lead. After the wobble when Costa scored there were some very moments where we kept the ball playing it right to left and back again.
We were tied but so were Chelsea.
Henderson seems back to his best. Was awesome.
Worried about Klopp and his emotions. Are subs were a bit too late.
Why are you worried about “Klopp and his emotions”? That’s like worrying about the combustibility of petrol when driving an F355!