Liverpool have still to secure Champions League qualification as they were held to a 1-1 draw against ailing Chelsea at Anfield.
Ryan Gravenberch put the Reds ahead in just the sixth minute but Chelsea responded well and equalised through Enzo Fernandez. And while Arne Slot’s side hit the woodwork on two occasions in the second period, they dropped points against a Chelsea team that had lost their previous six Premier League matches - with the head coach remaining under pressure.
Liverpool made a bright start and in the sixth minute, they broke the deadlock. Rio Ngumoha did well to occupy a few Chelsea defenders and cut a ball back for Gravenberch, who found the back of the net from the edge of the box.
The Reds almost doubled their advantage four minutes later when Virgil van Dijk was left completely free from the second phase of a set-piece yet steered a shot ide.
But as the first half wore on, Chelsea started to probe. Liverpool goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili had to made a good save from Marc Curcurella in the 28th minute. But on 35 minutes, Mamardashvili - returning from injury - was left stranded when Enzo Fernandez’s free-kick avoided contact from those queuing up inside the box and found the far corner.
Fernandez should have put the visitors ahead moments later but he beat Liverpool’s offside trap but Mamardashvili was off his line to thwart the Chelsea captain.
Liverpool were given a huge reprieve early in the second half when Cole Palmer thought he’d put Chelsea ahead after Mamardashvili had to keep out Van Dijk’s inadvertent clearance towards his own goal. A VAR review deemed that Joao Pedro had strayed offside in the build-up.
On 58 minutes, the Reds had a goal of their own chalked off through Curtis Jones as Cody Gakpo failed to beat Chelsea’s offside trap.
Liverpool did start to take control but struggled to find a way through, with Dominik Szoboszlai crashing an effort against the post and Van Dijk crashing a header off the crossbar.
But the encounter fizzled out, with a share of the spoils no more than the Reds deserved - and there were smatterings of boos coming from the crowd at full-time.
Liverpool player ratings vs Chelsea
5. Milos Kerkez - 5
Showed energy early in the first half then had to be on the back foot. Too many backward passes in the second half. | Local Library
6. Ryan Gravenberch - 7
Took his goal really well and started with plenty of positivity, but that fizzled out in the first half. Carried the ball well at times in the second half. | Getty Images
7. Alexis Mac Allister - 5
Laboured through the first half. Showed a bit more doggedness after the break. | Liverpool FC via Getty Images
8. Dominik Szoboszlai - 5
Lacked any real spark in the first half. Twice went close to scoring in the second period but otherwise struggled. | Getty Images