Liverpool overcame a good Chelsea side to grab an important three points as the Premier League title race intensifies
After an enthralling, but goalless first half. Liverpool exploded early in the second half with a header from Sadio Mane before Mo Salah pulled the trigger and unleashed a missile into the top left hand corner of the Kop goal.
It was as good as the reds deserved after a solid first half and positive determiend period in the second half. It was the 112th win for Jurgen Klopp in this, his 200th LFC game.
Today's game, held a day before the 30th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster was a chance for Liverpool to exorcise the demons from 5 years ago when a Gerrard slip allowed Demba Ba to score the opener in a 2-0 win for Chelsea, a result which effectively ended the reds title hopes.
This win however moves the reds back to the top of the league by two points, although Man City stubbornly remain with that game in hand.
However, 85 points from 34 points is just one point shy of the highest points total the reds have ever achieved in a full season since the debut of the Premier League in 1992.
Two changes
Liverpool made just the two changes from the midweek win over Porto. Andy Robertson returned in place of James Milner, and Joel Matip replaced Dejan Lovren.
As it happened: LFC 2-0 Chelsea
Before kick off there was applause for Tommy Smith, the former Liverpool player who died yesterday. And a minutes silence, which was well respected by both sets of supporters, ahead of the 30th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster.
The game started brightly - Chelsea had clearly not come here for one point. Eden Hazard and Willian operating a high line to try and pressurise the LFC defence.
But it was Mo Salah who went closest early on when he latched on to a volley from Sadio Mane. Naby Keita, enjoying another consecutive appearance, showed that his confidence was growing with a number of bursting forward runs and tricks in a closely fought first half.
All hail the Egyptian King! 🙏🇪🇬👑 #YNWA pic.twitter.com/8QQzTVcfpR
— Simon Mignolet (@SMignolet) 14 April 2019
For the opponents Willian did get on the end of a Chelsea counter-attack on 30 minutes - but he was closely tracked by Liverpool's defenders. He did eventually get a shot away but there was relief to see it flying wide.
Rudiger was forced off for Chelsea just before half time giving Liverpool hope of seizing on the defensive disruption.
And the reds did just that early in the second half with Liverpool dominating from the whistle.
Salah causing trouble to trick his way into the box allowing Henderson to lift the ball over the defenders.
At the back post - Sadio Mane. He had plenty of space to head in and make it 1-0.
Just minutes later Liverpool put both hands on the three points.
Mo Salah cutting in from the right hand side before exploding his left foot through a shot that swerved into the top left hand corner.
Anfield erupted. It was some goal!
There was a brief period of panic following with Eden Hazard hitting the post and going close again before Liverpool grabbed their bearings. Henderson and Keita were sacrificed for Wijnaldum and Milner and stability returned to the side.
Liverpool eventually saw out the game without too much further issue and took the points to take them back to the top, a place they had relinquished two hours earlier when Man City beat Crystal Palace.
The big games keep coming - Champions League Quarter Final 2nd leg coming up.
