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
9. Jeremie Frimpong - 5
Tried to get in behind a couple of times but otherwise failed to impact the first half. Better in the second half but lacked end product. | Getty Images
10. Cody Gakpo - 4
Barely did anything in the first half and stupidly gave the free-kick away for Chelsea's equaliser. Strayed offside which meant Jones' goal was ruled out. Subbed in the 77th minute. | Getty Images
11. Rio Ngumoha - 7
Got the assist for Gravenberch's goal and was a livewire in the first half. Had some moments in the second half, including one run that got Liverpool out of trouble to win a free-kick. Subbed in the 67th minute, the large secions of the crowd booed. | Getty Images
12. Sub 1 - Alexander Isak - 5
Lively but starved of service. | Getty Images