Liverpool player ratings vs Chelsea: Two 5/10s struggle as Reds suffer late heartbreak | Football | Sport

Liverpool missed their chance to return to the top of the Premier League table as they were dramatically beaten by Chelsea. They went into the fixture knowing that victory would see them leapfrog Arsenal, who reached the summit by beating West Ham earlier in the day. However, the Reds were unable to return to winning ways and surrendered a point in the dying seconds of the match.

Chelsea took the lead early on with Moises Caicedo firing a thunderous effort into the top corner from outside the box. The visitors improved in the second half and drew level through Cody Gakpo, who pounced on Alexander Isak’s touch to score from close range. It looked like Liverpool would hold on for a draw, but Estevao Willian turned the ball home in the 95th minute to snatch all three points for the hosts.

Express Sport hands out the Liverpool player ratings from today’s XXXXX….

Liverpool player ratings vs Chelsea

Giorgi Mamardashvili – 6

Couldn’t have done much about either of the goals, especially Caicedo’s stunner of a strike.

Conor Bradley – 5

Struggled with his decision-making at times and was too aggressive in the tackle. Substituted at the break after being booked.

Virgil van Dijk – 6

Did okay in defence and tried to make things happen with some progressive passes from deep.

Ibrahima Konate – 6

Lacked quality in his passing at times but produced an important clearance to deny Chelsea before he was replaced.

Milos Kerkez – 5

Still plenty of room for improvement. Tried to square the ball when through on goal but should have opened fire.

Ryan Gravenberch – 6

Kept things ticking in the middle of the park with his range of passing and helped out in defence too.

Alexis Mac Allister – 6

Wasn’t strong enough against Caicedo for the first goal and struggled to track opposing runs, but improved in the second half.

Dominik Szoboszlai – 7

Spearheaded the press from the front and fired in the cross which led to Gakpo equalising for the Reds. Worked hard throughout.

Mohamed Salah – 6

Was largely kept quiet but showed flashes of brilliance when given a yard of space. Missed a huge chance just after the break.

Cody Gakpo – 6

Struggled to get into the game until he scored, pouncing on a loose ball and firing a powerful strike into the net.

Alexander Isak – 6

Grew into the game as it went on and produced a brilliant assist for the equaliser. Whether he meant it or not is another question.

Substitutes

Florian Wirtz – 6

Came on at the interval and nearly had a special assist just moments into the second half. Was involved in most attacking moves.

Andy Robertson – 6

Introduced in place of Kerkez in the second half and brought some extra composure on the left flank.

Curtis Jones – 6

Came on to replace Konate and went into midfield with Gravenberch dropping into a deeper role.

Hugo Ekitike – 6

Was tasked with leading the line for the final 15 minutes of the game but was unable to find a winning goal.

Wataru Endo – n/a

A late addition.