LIVERPOOL — In an absorbing tactical battle that lived up to its billing, Liverpool preserved their position atop the Premier League table on Sunday evening with a fiercely contested 2–1 victory over Chelsea at a deafening Anfield.
Curtis Jones delivered a player-of-the-match performance for Arne Slot’s side, winning a first-half penalty, drawing a second overturned spot-kick, and stabbing home the decisive 51st-minute winner after Nicolas Jackson had briefly dragged Chelsea level.
The hosts broke the deadlock in the 29th minute. Jones seized possession inside the Chelsea penalty box before being brought down by Levi Colwill. Mohamed Salah stepped up with trademark composure, blasting his spot-kick past Robert Sánchez into the top left corner for his fifth league goal of the campaign.
Chelsea struck back immediately after the interval. In the 48th minute, Moisés Caicedo sliced open Liverpool’s high defensive line with an exquisite through ball, finding Jackson who curled a precise finish beyond Caoimhín Kelleher. The goal was initially flagged for offside, but an exhaustive VAR review confirmed Ibrahima Konaté’s trailing heel played the Senegalese striker onside.
Liverpool’s response was instantaneous and ruthless. Barely three minutes later, Salah collected possession wide on the right flank and whipped a devilish in-swinging cross between Chelsea’s central defenders. Jones timed his darting run to perfection, cushioning the ball before steering it past the onrushing Sánchez.
Slot introduced Joe Gomez and Alexis Mac Allister in the closing stages to solidify defensive structure, effectively neutralizing Cole Palmer, who was held to zero shots on target for the first time in seven matches under Maresca.
"Curtis was outstanding today both in and out of possession," Slot told reporters in his post-match press conference. "We knew Chelsea possess immense technical midfield quality, but the team showed tremendous character to immediately hit back after conceding. It keeps our momentum intact ahead of a massive European week against RB Leipzig and Arsenal."
The result leaves Liverpool on 21 points from eight games, one ahead of defending champions Manchester City and four clear of third-placed Arsenal, while Chelsea remain sixth on 14 points.