Liverpool vs. Chelsea: Winners and Losers from Premier League Game
Chelsea beat Liverpool at Anfield in the early Saturday Premier League kick-off, taking the three points by virtue of a comeback win and a 2-1 scoreline.
Emre Can and Gary Cahill scored early on, before Diego Costa's second-half winner kept the Blues well clear at the top and inflicted a third successive defeat on the home side in all competitions.
Here are all our winners and losers from the game.
Winner: Diego Costa
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Diego Costa scored the winner but, beyond that, deserves praise for his terrific work rate as always, his ability to hold up the ball and his troubling of the Liverpool defence.
He frustrates and annoys if he's not on your team, perhaps, but there is no doubting that his strength, desire to win and, of course, finishing ability are a critical component of the Chelsea team.
He was subbed at the end of the match but more than played the role required of him and was ultimately the difference.
Loser: Anthony Taylor
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Referee Anthony Taylor endured a very poor afternoon at Anfield.
Several times, he let play run early on, and he was keen not to become too involved in personal battles between players—all fine, but then it all quickly went downhill.
He failed to spot several fouls, called play back for treatment for a Chelsea player when Liverpool were through behind the defence—after Chelsea themselves had opted not to kick the ball out when in possession—and then missed a pretty stonewall penalty appeal in the final minutes of the game.
Winners: Philippe Coutinho and Emre Can
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Philippe Coutinho has been in and out of the Liverpool team this season, as both he and the club as a whole struggle with consistency, but back into the three-man front line for the Reds at Anfield, he was the best player for the home team.
Coutinho's drive through the middle, willingness to commit defenders and ability to pick a pass were all on display in his 70 minutes on the pitch.
Emre Can was similarly impressive, running the midfield for spells—but both were subbed off on the 70-minute mark as Liverpool looked to chase the match after Chelsea's second goal. After both departed, Liverpool never looked like scoring.
Loser: Brendan Rodgers
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There can't be any hiding for Brendan Rodgers and his selections after this defeat. Of the players who impressed after all the midweek changes vs. Real Madrid, only Emre Can kept his place, with the most frustrating and disappointing switch being Rodgers' decision to drop Kolo Toure in favour of Dejan Lovren.
Once more, Lovren was made to look a second-rate defender by the opposition, winning a few headers but very little else, with Diego Costa, Oscar and even Branislav Ivanovic all getting the better of him far too easily and too often.
Chasing the game, Rodgers brought subs on—but attackers Adam Lallana and Lazar Markovic, signed for a combined £45 million this summer to replace the creativity lost with Luis Suarez, have not kicked a ball between them in the past two league defeats.
Winners: Gary Cahill and John Terry
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Chelsea centre-back Gary Cahill saw Liverpool's goal deflect in off him, and he was lucky to escape without sanction for his late handball in the box. However, between those two isolated incidents, he was excellent for his side, making clearances, blocks and holding a very tight line throughout the game.
Alongside him, John Terry was similarly impressive, never giving Mario Balotelli or replacement Rickie Lambert a look-in at goal and defending with aggression and tenacity.
Cahill, of course, also scored the equalising goal for Chelsea, with Terry involved in the buildup.
