Yossi fires wide late on, summing up Liverpool's misfortune
Liverpool were defeated by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge after two second half goals took them back to the top of the table.
Liverpool’s players improved hugely on the midweek performance and up to the hour mark were arguably looking the most composed team down in London.
In the 60th minute the game turned though when Mascherano conceded possession and a fluid Chelsea move saw Anelka fire past Reina from inside the box.
The reds desperately tried to get something out the game but with the team going all out for attack the back door was left open – and Chelsea made sure of the points when Malouda grabbed an injury time second to add insult to injury.
Torres and Gerrard were among the more lethargic of Liverpool’s players – the reds continued to be poor with the ball at set-pieces. Corners continue to be poorly executed.
Stamford Bridge is never an easy place for Liverpool to travel to and Chelsea have exacted some revenge for last years Liverpool Premier League double over them.
Still 90 points to play for.
Post Match Comments
Rafael Benitez
“It is too early. It is a long race and we must keep going. We are playing good football and creating chances.
“We are doing the things that you need to do. But when you have chances, you must score with them.”
“The defence was much better. There were just one or two things (wrong) and we paid for them.
“We played a good game against a good team but if you make mistakes against them, they will score. The game plan was good, but top-class players make the difference.”
“You will see the top sides losing more points against any team. That’s good for the Premier League, for the competition, but it means we have to keep going. We can’t think about three defeats.
“We drew a lot of games last season. We lost just two but people were telling me about the draws. Now we’re winning more and losing a few but maybe we’ll have more points.”
Teams and Match Stats
Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Skrtel, Carragher, Insua (Aurelio 83), Leiva (Babel 76), Mascherano, Kuyt, Gerrard, Riera (Benayoun 67), Torres
Unused subs: Cavalieri, Agger, Kyrgiakos, Ngog
Chelsea: Hilario, Ivanovic, Carvalho, Terry, A. Cole, Ballack, Essien, Lampard, Deco (Malouda 76), Drogba, Anelka
Unused subs: Turnbull, Belletti, J. Cole, Zhirkov, Kalou, Sturridge
Goals: Anelka (60), Malouda (90)
Referee: Martin Atkinson
Attendance: 41,732
Our Man of the Match
Despite being at fault for Chelsea’ first goal which changed the game, Javier Mascherano had a good game after some indifferent early season form.