Daily Star
Liverpool’s hopes of climbing back into the top four took a huge blow on Thursday night as they suffered their five successive home defeat in the Premier League, this time at the hands of Chelsea, who climb into the Champions League qualification places.
Timo Werner’s opening strike was ruled by VAR for offside after just under half an hour, but the Blues still made their pressure pay as Mason Mount put them ahead three minutes before half time.
The England midfielder was picked out by N’Golo Kante, before taking the ball past Fabinho and firing past Alisson with aplomb.
Liverpool stuck to their guns and tried to hit back in their usual fashion, but showed just how far they have fallen by failing to create any clear cut chances to equalise.
Here’s six things fans may have missed from the Chelsea’s 1-0 victory over Liverpool.
Mount bucking the ‘Lampard favourite’ tag
The phrase ‘special player’ is often overused, but there is no doubting that is exactly what Chelsea have in Mason Mount.
The England international showed pace, poise and precision to score the only goal of the game with a sublime strike which he almost made himself as much as Kante’s fantastic cross-field ball.
That is three in eight league games under Tuchel now, a marked improvement on the two in 18 he had under Frank Lampard, when it was suggested he perhaps got some slightly favourable treatment.
Lineker on VAR controversy
Gary Lineker gave his take on the VAR controversy that ruled out Werner’s opening strike.
The German was almost certain that he had legally struck just inside the opening half an hour after being put in behind by Jorginho and taking the ball past Alisson.
But the goal was chalked off two minutes later by the video referee after extensive analysis, causing Lineker to give a fair view of how the game has changed.
He tweeted: “I’ll say it again, level is no longer onside, and the game is worse for it.”
Klopp’s Mane pep talk
Jurgen Klopp put a friendly arm around Sadio Mane as his side headed out for the second half to give him a pep talk with his side trailing.
Mane once again underwhelmed against Chelsea, and appears to be a shadow of his former self right now.
But Klopp’s approach to the Senegal winger is plain to see, not taking the tough love standpoint but trying to nurture him back into form.
Chilly Chelsea bench
Chelsea’s bench was battered with abuse from the Sky Sports’ commentary team for not braving the cold at Anfield during the first half.
Substitutes on the Blues bench were spotted becoming frozen in the stands during the Premier League game with Liverpool.
As a result, a member of Chelsea’s staff came to their aid by passing round blankets to the seemingly helpless stars.
Commentator Martin Tyler, 75, spotted the footage and said: “What’s happening to footballers these days? It’s a little bit chilly.”
Liverpool legend and pundit Jamie Carragher replied: “Don’t like it up north!”
Salah shows Klopp his disapproval
Mohamed Salah was clearly very unhappy at being substituted by Klopp with half an hour left to play.
The Reds boss decided to hook arguably his biggest goal threat in favour of the returning Diogo Jota in order to shake things up.
And the decision really did not go down well with Salah, who was fuming as he took his place on the bench, and shook his head furiously.
Maybe his disapproval was at his and his team-mates’ performances as much as anything – but he was certainly not a happy man!
This Story First Appeared At The Daily Star
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