Chelsea were condemned to their second defeat of the week as they were handed a narrow 2-1 loss by Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on Sunday evening.
Chelsea were, by far, the second best side in the first half and their visitors were ahead just 14 minutes in when Trent Alexander-Arnold converted from a thunderbolt of a free-kick. The hosts were then denied the equaliser when VAR pulled them back for offside in the build-up to Cesar Azpilicueta’s strike.
Not long after, Liverpool doubled their advantage when Roberto Firmino nodded in from Andrew Robertson’s precise cross. However, after dominating much of the second half, Chelsea pulled a goal back through N’Golo Kante, but were unable to get back on level terms in the final 20 minutes.
Kante, though, was praised for a wondrous goal that gave Chelsea some late hope, while Fikayo Tomori also continues to grow in stature among the eyes of the Blues’ faithfuls.
Don’t think it’s possible to overstate how much of a difference N’Golo Kante makes for Chelsea. Gargantuan.
— Melissa Reddy (@MelissaReddy_) September 22, 2019
Allah bless the womb Kante came from . What a man! pic.twitter.com/9gUsyeTXz4
— Ali ?? (@TheBeardedRauI) September 22, 2019
The things Kante does charley it’s overwhelming
— Kay ? (@Kaypoisson1) September 22, 2019
I can’t remember a big game where Kanté has been abysmal. Even when Chelsea are terrible he performs. Give this man his respect please.#CHELIV
— FAROUQ ??? (@farouq_yahaya) September 22, 2019
Fikayo Tomori continues to be an enormous positive. Has all the aggression you need in a top CB, some super technique (particularly those driven passes) & ridiculous speed. Looks like a potential long term solution at the position.
— joeTweedie (@joeTweedie) September 22, 2019
Tomori has stolen the centre-back spot. Salah was dancing all day inside his back pocket. Tomori-Rudiger is next. I like it.
— Vince™ (@Blue_Footy) September 22, 2019
But, the positives stopped there, as Willian was derided following a frustrating performance wherein he did not offer a lot to his team’s cause.
I’m not sure anyone denies Willian’s dribbling ability, but what is so maddening is that he takes so long to release the ball. Ruins the flows of runs.
— Alex Goldberg (@AlexGoldberg_) September 22, 2019
Pulisic was our best player against Liverpool a couple of weeks ago. Unused sub today while Willian & an unfit Mount complete all 90 mins.
— 343 (@CarefreeRash) September 22, 2019
Willian trying to dribble pic.twitter.com/OxBh2IuZA9
— peppe? (@partenopeppe) September 22, 2019
Pulisic on the bench instead of Willian again. If I speak Twitter will suspend me.
— #Cultist-Daily ? (@EmenaIo) September 22, 2019
If this man was on the pitch instead of Willian, we may bury some more of the chances we get #JusticeForPulisic pic.twitter.com/jS6ItRTChO
— . (@Chelsea_Based1) September 22, 2019
Willian should never of started & should only play in caraboa cup games until we sell him in January
— DonkeysOut (@CarvalhoJTElite) September 22, 2019
Honestly hate Willian more than I hate Liverpool.
— Father of all motherfuckers (@sorcierbelge) September 22, 2019
Finally, the decision by VAR to overrule Cesar Azpilicueta’s goal also came under the spotlight.
Decision to disallow Azpilicueta goal for Chelsea raises key point. An awful lot happened after the offside – so how far back do you go ? Different phase ?
— Ian Darke (@IanDarke) September 22, 2019
VAR doesn’t work.
Mount is offside but Alonso plays the ball backwards which is new faze of play.
VAR can’t go back to the offside, the rule is if it the ball is played back then it is a new attack. Azpilicueta’s goal should’ve stood.#CHELIV #VAR
— Adam – NCFC⚫️⚪️ (@RuthlessRose_) September 22, 2019