“It was tricky” - Jurgen Klopp makes honest admission after Liverpool’s 1-1 draw against 10-man Chelsea

Jurgen Klopp insisted Liverpool "tried everything" as they failed to make their numerical advantage count and were held to a 1-1 draw against Chelsea.

The Reds were unable to profit from Reece James' red card in first-half stoppage-time after he was adjudged to have denied a goalscoring opportunity for handball.

Mohamed Salah calmly converted the penalty, cancelling out Kai Havertz' 22nd-minute opener for the visitors at Anfield.

In the second period, Liverpool dominated possession but were unable to make a breakthrough.

It meant the Reds dropped their first points of the Premier League season, although they remain unbeaten after three games.

Klopp admitted his troops could have done better to unlock Chelsea's stubborn defence but he recognised how difficult the task was.

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The Liverpool boss told the club's website: “I liked the game. Look, a few years ago, we won I think 2-1 or 2-0 against Chelsea and Mo Salah fired the ball in the far corner, which is actually not a chance – a nice goal, but not a chance.

“Today we had obviously bigger chances in the first half already which we didn’t score off, which means the performance was really good against the strongest Chelsea side for a long, long time.

“It was always difficult against Chelsea and it’s now difficult against Chelsea, so I was really happy with the first half.

“And the second half - I’m not somebody who watches football from time to time and thinks: 'Oh, 11 versus 10, that must be easy'.

“I saw five million games and know that is really not a massive advantage, especially against a quality side like Chelsea with the defending skills they have and with now the job they had to do just to defend in and around the box more or less.

“It was tricky. We could have done better for sure, but it’s early in the season, you need this one moment where you can get through, where you can finish it off.

“We had our finishes, we had good football moments, we tried everything, we defended their potential counter-attacks most of the time really well.

“Sometimes we had to run a bit further to catch them again but we did. Chelsea put a proper shift in as well, you have to say, I respect that. So it’s a draw, just take the point and carry on.”

Firmino concern

A concern for Liverpool was that Roberto Firmino was forced off shortly before the end of the first half.

The Brazilian limped off in the 42nd minute with a hamstring injury and was replaced by Diogo Jota.

Firmino, who was making his first start of the season, will undergo a scan.

"Serious? I don't know," said Klopp. “Serious enough to take him off, yes.

"Bobby felt his hamstring, came and told us so we had to prepare the change. Bobby is nobody who raises their hand when he doesn't feel anything.

"It doesn't look too serious but you never know before you have a scan, which will happen tomorrow."

Elliott’s disappointment

Harvey Elliott was again handed a start against Chelsea, having made his full Premier League debut in the 2-0 defeat of Burnley the previous week.

The 18-year-old was disappointed the Reds failed to pick up three points.

Elliott said: “It just wasn't our day. We tried what we could, gave it 100% and unfortunately we came away with the draw.

“I think the mood in the changing room is a bit down because obviously we wanted to come away with the win against 10 men.

“Chelsea obviously are a top-class side, they fought until the very end and were hard to break down, so you've got to give them credit.

“It wasn't really our day. We'll reflect and go again against Leeds."

What's next

Liverpool aren't in action for another 15 days due to the international break.

The Reds next make the trip to Leeds United on Sunday, September 12.

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