Liverpool beat Chelsea to reclaim top spot in Premier League
Jones scored Liverpool winner in second half
Jackson equalised after Salah penalty put Reds in front
Man City beat Wolves 2-1 earlier on Sunday - read more
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I think Liverpool fans should reflect that they have yet to play ANY team in the top nine yet. A very kind start which is about to change.
Paul
FT: Wolves 1-2 Manchester City
Manchester City's late, late winner against Wolves takes them top, but Liverpool will move back above them if they beat Chelsea.
Meanwhile, Chelsea will go from sixth to third with a win.
Liverpool v Chelsea (16:30 BST)
Chelsea defender Malo Gusto, speaking to Sky Sports: "We know it's a tough game at Anfield and we have to give everything on the pitch and come back with the win.
"For us the most important thing is to play well and create something.
"The new ideas is about creating something special between us, we didn't have that last season."
FT: Wolves 1-2 Manchester City
Huge controversy in the other Premier League game today. Wolves thought they had got a superb point against Manchester City, before John Stones headed in for City in the fifth minute of additional time.
The referee was told by the video assistant referee to watch the incident on a pitchside monitor as Bernardo Silva had been standing in an offside position, close to and backing into goalkeeper Jose Sa seconds before Stones headed into the net.
But the decision is not changed, it goes City's way, the goal stands and they win 2-1. Wolves and boss Gary O'Neil are furious.
Liverpool v Chelsea (16:30 BST)
The Football News Show: Maturity & improved Nicolas Jackson behind Chelsea's strong start
Former Chelsea winger Pat Nevin feels the club's attacking players have improved under Maresca, with less reliance on Palmer, a player that scored 22 league goals last season.
Speaking on The Football News Show, Nevin picked out the greater productivity from Jackson and Madueke.
"Nicolas Jackson, the amount of chances he missed [last season] in great positions he got into with his staggering pace, and then blew it, but he’s getting better at that. He is running into more intelligent areas," said Nevin.
"Noni Madueke has also come on to the game as well. He has that youth but as a winger, you have to go past people and it's amazing how many people do that for a while but then lose that and make simple es instead.
"But at Chelsea you have Madueke and Jadon Sancho and both want to get past people.
"Chelsea aren’t totally, utterly leaning on Cole Palmer now. Cole’s been brilliant again, player of the month last month, player of the season last year, but it's now not just him."
Liverpool v Chelsea (16:30 BST)
Image source, Getty ImagesWhat a couple of months it has been for Chelsea winger Noni Madueke.
He was an unused sub for the opening game of the season against Manchester City, but then scored in the 2-0 Europa Conference League win against Servette and been in fine form ever since.
A hat-trick against Wolves, his first in the Premier League, followed before he made his England debut and then scored a special equaliser for Chelsea in a 1-1 draw against Nottingham Forest.
Did you know? Madueke has four goals in six Premier League appearances this season, just one fewer than he netted in the whole of last term in the competition (five in 23 appearances).
Liverpool v Chelsea (16:30 BST)
Image source, Getty ImagesBBC Sport has looked at eight players that have performed better than fans may have expected this season.
Liverpool were close to g a defensive midfielder in the summer, only for Martin Zubimendi to reject a move from Real Sociedad - but now it looks like they did not need him anyway.
Ryan Gravenberch only started 12 games in Jurgen Klopp's last season at Anfield, but the all-action Netherlands midfielder has looked a different player this season and thrived under Dutch boss Arne Slot.
Gravenberch, 22, has been instrumental to the Reds' start to the campaign that has included six wins in seven matches in the Premier League, as well as victories in both their Champions League games.
Did you know? Gravenberch is the only player in the Premier League this season to play 300 or more es (476), make 100 or more carries (123), win possession 40 or more times (42) and win 40 or more duels (41).
Liverpool v Chelsea (16:30 BST)
John Murray
Commentator on BBC Radio 5 Live
In today's matchday programme Liverpool boss Arne Slot says, "Chelsea are the strongest opponents they have faced yet".
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As a Liverpool fan I’m delighted with the start to the season but realistic enough to know we’ve not been tested yet. If we finished top four this season I’d be very happy with that for Slot’s first season. It is something to build on.
Anon
A good season for Chelsea is top four. Some of the big money gs are starting to come good, but they're not quite title challengers.
Henry, Sussex
Liverpool v Chelsea (16:30 BST)
Former Chelsea winger Pat Nevin thinks Liverpol can push on for a title charge this season, but his former side will have to settle for top-four contention.
The Football News Show: Pat Nevin picks Liverpool as title challengers, but not Chelsea
Liverpool v Chelsea (16:30 BST)
Image source, Getty ImagesSeven Premier League games into Enzo Maresca's reign as Chelsea boss and the Blues fans have plenty to be excited about.
Before this weekend's matches started, only Manchester City with 17 goals had scored more than Chelsea's total of 16.
At the same stage last season, Chelsea, at the beginning of Mauricio Pochettino's only campaign in charge, had seven goals, including a three-game run without ing.
In 2024-25, the Blues have been far more entertaining. They have created 27 "big" chances, the t-second highest in the division, and had 41 shots on target, the fifth highest.
Italian Maresca guided Leicester to the Championship title before replacing Pochettino after the Argentine left by "mutual consent" at the end of last season.
Since coming in, Maresca started with a 2-0 home loss against reigning champions Manchester City, but has since guided them to victories including 6-2 at Wolves, 3-0 at West Ham and 4-2 against Brighton.
Cole Palmer is flying in the goalscoring charts with six goals, while Nicolas Jackson and Noni Madueke have four apiece.
Liverpool v Chelsea (16:30 BST)
Liverpool manager Arne Slot suggests a rethink of the fixture schedule after losing his first-choice goalkeeper Alisson to injury.
Liverpool v Chelsea (16:30 BST)
Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer at Anfield
Chelsea captain Reece James starts for the first time this season after recovering from his latest hamstring injury. James' career for club and country has been curtailed by these problems in recent times but it is a huge boost for manager Enzo Maresca to have the hugely-talented right-back available once more.
Liverpool v Chelsea (16:30 BST)
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, ReutersLiverpool v Chelsea (16:30 BST)
Caoimhin Kelleher starts in goal for Liverpool with Alisson out injured.
Elsewhere, Andy Robertson starts in defence while Dominik Szoboszlai comes into midfield with Alexis Mac Allister on the bench.
Liverpool XI: Kelleher, Alexander-Arnold, Konate, van Dijk, Robertson, Jones, Gravenberch, Szoboszlai, Salah, Jota, Gakpo.
Subs: Jaros, Gomez, Endo, Diaz, Nunez, Mac Allister, Tsimikas, Quansah, Morton.
For Chelsea, the headline news is captain Reece James starting for the first time this season.
He is one of three changes, with Tosin Adarabioyo starting in place of suspended Wesley Fofana and Romeo Lavia replaces Enzo Fernandez in midfield.
Chelsea XI: Sanchez, James, Adarabioyo, Colwill, Gusto, Caicedo, Lavia, Madueke, Palmer, Sancho, Jackson.
Subs: Bettinelli, Disasi, Badiashile, Pedro Neto, Fernandez, Joao Felix, Nkunku, Dewsbury-Hall, Veiga.
Liverpool v Chelsea (16:30 BST)
As expected Caoimhin Kelleher is in goal for Liverpool, replacing the injured Alisson, while Reece James makes his first start of the season and will captain Chelsea.
Full team news to come.
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As always us with your thoughts on today's match. What do you make of either team's start to the season? What's a good season for either side?
Liverpool v Chelsea (16:30 BST)
Nedum Onuoha
Former Manchester City defender on Planet Premier League podcast
Image source, Getty ImagesWe have been looking at this game for a while. We were looking at the Manchester United game, but that turned out to be a bye week.
I’m a believer Liverpool are favourites for this and rightly so. To have this game then the next domestic game as Arsenal away that’s two tough tests.
Hello there and welcome along to BBC Sport's coverage of the Premier League match between Liverpool and Chelsea at Anfield.
Kick-off is at 16:30 BST and we will have live commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live, which you will be able to listen to in this very page.
There's always something special about a match involving Liverpool and Chelsea.
It has been one of the great rivalries in the Premier League era and both sides have made very good starts to the season.
They go head-to-head at Anfield. Should be an entertaining afternoon.
Image source, Getty ImagesBenitez analyses 'fantastic' Jones performance
Liverpool returned to the top of the Premier League with victory over Chelsea at Anfield as manager Arne Slot's outstanding start continued.
The Dutchman is the first Liverpool boss to win 10 of his first 11 games, this latest triumph sending them a point clear of Manchester City following their dramatic stoppage-time victory at Wolves earlier.
Mohamed Salah put Liverpool ahead from the spot after 29 minutes following Levi Colwill’s foul on Curtis Jones, though a second penalty awarded on the stroke of half-time for Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez's block on the same player was overturned by the video assistant referee (VAR) after initially being awarded by referee John Brooks.
Chelsea took advantage of that VAR reprieve to equalise three minutes after the break, Nicolas Jackson racing clear to score, the goal awarded after being ruled out for offside.
Liverpool took only three minutes to restore their lead, Jones stealing in at the far post to steer Salah's cross past a hesitant Sanchez in front of a joyous Kop.
It mean Slot's only loss since succeeding Jurgen Klopp was to Nottingham Forest at Anfield in September, while this was Chelsea's first league defeat under new manager Enzo Maresca since the opening-weekend home reverse against Manchester City.
Slot praises Liverpool's 'incredible work-rate'
Liverpool are a more ordered side under Slot, more measured than the all-out 'heavy metal' football of his illustrious predecessor Klopp who swept up silverware before leaving Anfield at the end of last season.
What has not changed is the success, with what has been regarded as a good start tempered by cautious messaging about the standard of opposition beaten - now rebadged as an excellent one after victory over an improving Chelsea side.
This win was workmanlike, but another three points is what mattered, especially as Manchester City applied pressure after the theatre and controversy of their last-gasp win at Wolves.
Salah had one of his quieter games, yet set Liverpool on their way from spot and carved out a brilliant assist for Curtis Jones' winner.
It was a goal Jones deserved for a lively performance, which earned one penalty and only had another denied by VAR.
Liverpool survived a couple of anxious moments near the end, and an early injury which meant Diogo Jota was replaced by Darwin Nunez provided the one cloud, but this result and performance is the perfect platform for next Sunday's visit to Premier League title rivals Arsenal.
Chelsea's performance best this season despite Liverpool loss - Maresca
Chelsea are now winless in ten matches against Liverpool, including losses in the Carabao Cup final and FA Cup final in 2022 on penalties, along with a Wembley defeat in extra time last season.
This was another tale of Chelsea disappointment at Anfield.
Maresca's side are undoubtedly on the up and the manager will be satisfied with many aspects of this performance, especially an outstanding individual display by midfielder Moises Caicedo, but Chelsea lacked punch to go with their possession.
And Maresca will be especially frustrated Chelsea conceded the winner to Jones so soon after equalising after half-time, allowing Liverpool to wrest back control after Jackson's equaliser.
Cole Palmer drifted in and out of the game, curling one first-half chance narrowly over and seeing a second-half free-kick blocked from a good position, but this was not one of his more effective performances.
Chelsea hinted at their recent improvement with periods of calm control on the ball, especially in the early phases when they managed to quieten the Anfield atmosphere, but in the end it was the same old story as Liverpool emerged victorious.
Mohamed Salah celebrates putting Liverpool ahead from the penalty spot against Chelsea at Anfield
After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport s.
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 15 | 3 | 12 | 21 |
| |
| 8 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 19 | 9 | 10 | 20 |
| |
| 8 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 15 | 8 | 7 | 17 |
| |
| 8 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 15 | 10 | 5 | 17 |
| |
| 8 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 14 | 10 | 4 | 15 |
| |
| 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 17 | 10 | 7 | 14 |
| |
| 8 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 18 | 9 | 9 | 13 |
| |
| 8 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 8 | 8 | 0 | 12 |
| |
| 8 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 11 | 11 | 0 | 11 |
| |
| 8 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 11 |
| |
| 8 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 9 | -2 | 11 |
| |
| 7 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 10 |
| |
| 8 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 14 | 15 | -1 | 10 |
| |
| 8 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 12 | 14 | -2 | 9 |
| |
| 8 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 11 | 15 | -4 | 8 |
| |
| 8 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 9 | 15 | -6 | 8 |
| |
| 8 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 16 | -10 | 4 |
| |
| 7 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 10 | -5 | 3 |
| |
| 8 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 6 | 18 | -12 | 1 |
| |
| 8 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 10 | 23 | -13 | 1 |
|
Manager: Arne Slot
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager: Enzo Maresca
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager: Arne Slot
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager: Enzo Maresca
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Premier League
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All competitions
All competitions
Liverpool are unbeaten in their last six Premier League meetings with Chelsea, though five of these have ended level (W1).
Chelsea have won just one of their last nine Premier League away games against Liverpool (D5 L3), going down 4-1 in this exact fixture last season.
Having lost three consecutive league games against Chelsea between 2013 and 2014, Liverpool have now lost just two of their last 19 against the Blues (W7 D10).
Liverpool have conceded the fewest goals (2), kept the most clean sheets (5), and have the lowest expected goals against figure (5.2) of any side in the Premier League this season. Meanwhile, only Manchester City (17) have scored more goals than Chelsea (16) in the division this term, and only Tottenham boast a higher xG (15.0) than the Blues (14.7).
Along with Liverpool, Chelsea are one of two sides with a 100% away win rate in the Premier League this season (3/3). Only in 2005-06 (4) and 2008-09 (8) have the Blues ever won their opening four away matches of a league season.
In the 266 minutes Liverpool’s Premier League games have been level on the scoreline this season, the Reds have faced just 16 shots, an average of 5.4 per 90. This is both the lowest total faced and per 90 faced when drawing of any side in the competition this term.
Chelsea’s Enzo Maresca is looking to become only the fifth manager to win each of his first four away Premier League games, with one of the previous four to do so being his counterpart in this match, Liverpool’s Arne Slot (also Bobby Gould, John Gregory, and Luiz Felipe Scolari).
Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah has four goals in 13 Premier League games against former side Chelsea, averaging a goal every 257 minutes against the Blues. Among opponents he has played 10+ times in the competition, only against Burnley (778) does he have a poorer mins-per-goal rate.
Only Dominic Solanke (24) has made more targeted runs into the box in the Premier League this season than Liverpool’s Diogo Jota (22). The Portuguese forward has 11 goal involvements in his last 12 league starts (7 goals, 4 assists), and five in his last six at Anfield (4 goals, 1 assist).
Chelsea pair Cole Palmer (11) and Noni Madueke (4) have created 15 chances for each other in the Premier League this season, the most of any duo. Indeed, Palmer’s four assists for Madueke is also the most from one player for a teammate so far this term.
