Key battle stalled in goalless draw after Mudryk missed goal opportunity
Referee: Michael Oliver
Liverpool’s goalless draw against Chelsea, only the second in 80 league games, was not so much unexpected as disappointing as the two struggling teams failed to take advantage of the opportunity.
Over the past decade, such a result between the two would often be considered satisfactory, but it was a missed opportunity for both and an unfortunate comeback in Jurgen Klopp’s 1,000th game as manager.
Both clubs are currently shadows of themselves, and the fact that they are in ninth and 10th place, trying – and failing – to significantly close the gap from the top four, shows how bad things are at the moment.
Klopp has remained loyal to eight players from the mostly second-tier side that beat Wolves in the FA Cup midweek after praising the energy of the performance.
Tellingly, he has retained the same midfield, meaning a first Premier League start for 18-year-old Stefan Baicetic and bench spots for captains Jordan Henderson and Fabinho, as well as right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold, who was just training. Friday after a little muscle problem.
While this helped raise the level of effort, it had little effect on quality, especially in attack where Liverpool were mediocre and Chelsea not much better.
However, Blues head coach Graham Potter was encouraged by an encouraging cameo by new player Mikhail Mudryk in the second half and a fourth point in two games after one of the previous three.
In his liner notes for the show, Klopp praised fans for their support in helping to end Chelsea-related homophobic chants. Thus, among his other disappointments in the first half, he would have been horrified to hear the announcement that there was a message that it would take place and then a warning that it was against the law.
Liverpool’s end was bad with newcomer Cody Gakpo (twice) and outspoken Mohamed Salah both stunning.
They could not afford such debauchery, as the VAR system had already given them a lifeline only in the third minute, when a chaotic defense allowed Kai Havertz to finish off a Thiago Silva shot that rebounded from a post that was deflected on viewing.
At least it lifted spirits at a very cold Anfield, but that was quickly cut short when Alisson Becker was forced to deflect a point-blank header from Benoît Badiashile.
Just seconds into the break, Ibrahima Konate’s up-and-coming striker came close to catching Kepa Arrizabalaga, but any hope that he could improve the game proved wrong.
10 minutes later, Mudryk, signed by Shakhtar Donetsk on an £88 million contract, made his debut on the bench.
In his first real start, he outplayed the ball at the end of the field, trying to hit with a punt, and in the second, he shot into the side net after carefully dodging several problems in the repair area.
He was then taken down by James Milner, who was cautioned for the challenge, but even when Liverpool’s substitute right-back failed to get close to him, the Ukrainian’s control let him down as he positioned himself well at the far post.
Hakim Ziyech’s terrifying finish spoiled a thrilling cross from the right flank, while the arrival of Darvin Nunes brought more threat and created a brilliant Gakpo pirouette and shot into the corner, but still not enough to properly test Arrizabalaga.
The sight of substitute Carney Chukwuemeki falling through his feet despite being well placed in Liverpool’s last penalty area provided a fitting recap of the game as a whole and the final whistle was greeted with general indifference at Anfield.
Lineups:
Liverpool (4-3-3):
Alisson; Milner (c) (Alexander-Arnold 72), Konate, Gomez, Robertson; Keita (Nunez 63), Bajcetic (Henderson 82), Thiago; Salah, Gakpo (Fabinho 82), Elliott (Jones 82).
Unused subs: Kelleher, Matip, Tsimikas, Oxlade-Chamberlain
Chelsea (3-4-2-1):
Kepa; Chalobah (Azpilicueta 81), Thiago Silva, Badiashile, Cucurella; Jorginho (c), Hall (Mudryk 55); Ziyech, Gallagher, Mount (Chukwuemeka 82); Havertz (Aubameyang 81).
Unused subs: Bettinelli, Humphreys, Koulibaly, Loftus-Cheek, D Fofana.
Bookings:
Match Stats:
