• LIVERPOOL RATINGS: Alisson Becker - 7: The Brazilian had to be watchful and quick off his line when Chelsea tried to get behind the back four. A good performance overall and the goalkeeper had no chance of stopping the goal. Reuters
    LIVERPOOL RATINGS: Alisson Becker - 7: The Brazilian had to be watchful and quick off his line when Chelsea tried to get behind the back four. A good performance overall and the goalkeeper had no chance of stopping the goal. Reuters
  • Trent Alexander-Arnold - 6: The full back showed his usual range of passing, picking out Henderson in the area in the first half. Some of his second-half crossing required more precision. Reuters
    Trent Alexander-Arnold - 6: The full back showed his usual range of passing, picking out Henderson in the area in the first half. Some of his second-half crossing required more precision. Reuters
  • Joel Matip - 6: The centre back was targeted by Lukaku but held up well. He hit the woodwork in the first-half scramble that led to the penalty. Reuters
    Joel Matip - 6: The centre back was targeted by Lukaku but held up well. He hit the woodwork in the first-half scramble that led to the penalty. Reuters
  • Virgil van Dijk - 6: The Dutchman is improving with every game after his long layoff. Some of his passing was a little scattergun but he is a reassuring presence at the back. Reuters
    Virgil van Dijk - 6: The Dutchman is improving with every game after his long layoff. Some of his passing was a little scattergun but he is a reassuring presence at the back. Reuters
  • Andrew Robertson - 6: The Scot was not at his best at either end of the pitch. He put in his usual shift before being replaced by Tsimikas with four minutes to go. Getty
    Andrew Robertson - 6: The Scot was not at his best at either end of the pitch. He put in his usual shift before being replaced by Tsimikas with four minutes to go. Getty
  • Fabinho - 6: The Brazilian was over-run in the midfield in the first half but found things easier against 10 men in the second period. A bit short on creativity. AFP
    Fabinho - 6: The Brazilian was over-run in the midfield in the first half but found things easier against 10 men in the second period. A bit short on creativity. AFP
  • Harvey Elliot - 6: The 18-year-old showed no fear and took on plenty of responsibility. He lacked composure in the box when left free to shoot in the first half. Getty
    Harvey Elliot - 6: The 18-year-old showed no fear and took on plenty of responsibility. He lacked composure in the box when left free to shoot in the first half. Getty
  • Jordan Henderson - 6: The captain should have scored when he got behind the defence in the first half. He worked hard but was replaced by Thiago with 16 minutes to go when Liverpool needed more craft to break down Chelsea. Getty
    Jordan Henderson - 6: The captain should have scored when he got behind the defence in the first half. He worked hard but was replaced by Thiago with 16 minutes to go when Liverpool needed more craft to break down Chelsea. Getty
  • Mohamed Salah - 7: The Egyptian was beginning to look frustrated as half-time approached but he dispatched the penalty with aplomb. He was swarmed upon by defenders whenever the ball came near. Reuters
    Mohamed Salah - 7: The Egyptian was beginning to look frustrated as half-time approached but he dispatched the penalty with aplomb. He was swarmed upon by defenders whenever the ball came near. Reuters
  • Roberto Firmino - 6: The Brazilian started well but picked up an injury and was replaced by Jota three minutes before half time. AFP
    Roberto Firmino - 6: The Brazilian started well but picked up an injury and was replaced by Jota three minutes before half time. AFP
  • Sadio Mane - 6: Things did not click for the Senegalese but his effort could not be faulted. He looked frustrated at times. AFP
    Sadio Mane - 6: Things did not click for the Senegalese but his effort could not be faulted. He looked frustrated at times. AFP
  • SUBS: Diogo Jota - 6: Joined the game in the 42nd minute when Firmino limped off. The Portuguese found space hard to come by with Chelsea sitting so deep. AFP
    SUBS: Diogo Jota - 6: Joined the game in the 42nd minute when Firmino limped off. The Portuguese found space hard to come by with Chelsea sitting so deep. AFP
  • Thiago Alcantara - 6: The 30-year-old entered the fray in the 74th minute for Henderson. He was unable to unlock the packed defence. Getty
    Thiago Alcantara - 6: The 30-year-old entered the fray in the 74th minute for Henderson. He was unable to unlock the packed defence. Getty
  • Kostas Tsimikas - 6: The Greek was given a taste of the action in the 86th minute when replacing Robertson. Sent in one cross that dropped onto the roof of the net. Getty
    Kostas Tsimikas - 6: The Greek was given a taste of the action in the 86th minute when replacing Robertson. Sent in one cross that dropped onto the roof of the net. Getty
  • CHELSEA RATINGS: Edouard Mendy - 8: The Senegalese made a succession of second-half saves to ensure his team left Anfield with a point. He was beaten just once, by Salah’s unstoppable penalty. AFP
    CHELSEA RATINGS: Edouard Mendy - 8: The Senegalese made a succession of second-half saves to ensure his team left Anfield with a point. He was beaten just once, by Salah’s unstoppable penalty. AFP
  • Cesar Azpilicueta - 8: The Spaniard showed great awareness to deny Mane a scoring chance in the first half. The captain made a number of important interceptions. Reuters
    Cesar Azpilicueta - 8: The Spaniard showed great awareness to deny Mane a scoring chance in the first half. The captain made a number of important interceptions. Reuters
  • Andreas Christensen - 8: The Dane produced a masterful performance, especially in the second half when the pressure was on. He rarely looked flustered and used the ball well. Reuters
    Andreas Christensen - 8: The Dane produced a masterful performance, especially in the second half when the pressure was on. He rarely looked flustered and used the ball well. Reuters
  • Antonio Rudiger - 7: The German had some difficult moments in the first period but grew in stature after the break. He a kept tight rein on Salah. Reuters
    Antonio Rudiger - 7: The German had some difficult moments in the first period but grew in stature after the break. He a kept tight rein on Salah. Reuters
  • Reece James - 4: The 21-year-old did not get much chance to show his attacking ability. He struggled early on and was sent off for handling on the line in first-half stoppage time. Reuters
    Reece James - 4: The 21-year-old did not get much chance to show his attacking ability. He struggled early on and was sent off for handling on the line in first-half stoppage time. Reuters
  • N’Golo Kante - 7: The Frenchman was full of energy, closing down opponents and imposing himself on the midfield. He picked up a knock on the ankle just before half time and was replaced by Kovacic after the break. Getty
    N’Golo Kante - 7: The Frenchman was full of energy, closing down opponents and imposing himself on the midfield. He picked up a knock on the ankle just before half time and was replaced by Kovacic after the break. Getty
  • Jorginho - 6: The Brazilian was often involved in quelling the threat of Salah but did not thrive on the ball because of the pace of the game. Taken off for Chalobah with three minutes left. PA
    Jorginho - 6: The Brazilian was often involved in quelling the threat of Salah but did not thrive on the ball because of the pace of the game. Taken off for Chalobah with three minutes left. PA
  • Marcos Alonso - 6: The Spaniard came under huge pressure from Salah, Alexander-Arnold and Elliott but stuck to his task. He manewas not able to range forward as much as usual. EPA
    Marcos Alonso - 6: The Spaniard came under huge pressure from Salah, Alexander-Arnold and Elliott but stuck to his task. He manewas not able to range forward as much as usual. EPA
  • Mason Mount - 7: The Englishman showed a brilliant touch to bamboozle Matip. He orchestrated Chelsea’s attack but should have crossed instead of shooting in the first half. Forced to defend in the second half. Getty
    Mason Mount - 7: The Englishman showed a brilliant touch to bamboozle Matip. He orchestrated Chelsea’s attack but should have crossed instead of shooting in the first half. Forced to defend in the second half. Getty
  • Kai Havertz - 7: The German scored a superb header to put his team in front. He was unfortunate to be replaced by Thiago Silva at half time as Chelsea restructured after the sending off. EPA
    Kai Havertz - 7: The German scored a superb header to put his team in front. He was unfortunate to be replaced by Thiago Silva at half time as Chelsea restructured after the sending off. EPA
  • Romelu Lukaku - 6: The Belgian showed flashes of threat but was left to lead the line alone after the sending off. He gave Matip a couple of frights but one threatening run ended when the striker fell over the ball. AFP
    Romelu Lukaku - 6: The Belgian showed flashes of threat but was left to lead the line alone after the sending off. He gave Matip a couple of frights but one threatening run ended when the striker fell over the ball. AFP
  • SUBS: Thiago Silva - 7: The 36-year-old came on for the second half at Havertz’s expense. He joined in the rearguard action with gusto and provided an extra level of security. Getty
    SUBS: Thiago Silva - 7: The 36-year-old came on for the second half at Havertz’s expense. He joined in the rearguard action with gusto and provided an extra level of security. Getty
  • Mateo Kovacic - 7: The Croat replaced Kante after the break. He defended stoutly but was unable to make the most of a scoring chance on one of his rare excursions forward. Getty
    Mateo Kovacic - 7: The Croat replaced Kante after the break. He defended stoutly but was unable to make the most of a scoring chance on one of his rare excursions forward. Getty
  • Trevoh Chalobah - 6: The 22-year-old had a brief runout, replacing Jorginho with three minutes to go. He looked comfortable joining the massed defence. PA
    Trevoh Chalobah - 6: The 22-year-old had a brief runout, replacing Jorginho with three minutes to go. He looked comfortable joining the massed defence. PA

Liverpool v Chelsea player ratings: Salah 7, Mane 6; Mendy 8, James 4


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Thomas Tuchel was delighted by 10-man Chelsea’s defensive display after Reece James’ red card in their hard-fought 1-1 draw at Liverpool.

Kai Havertz opened the scoring with a superb looping header, but Mohamed Salah levelled with a penalty during a dramatic end to the opening period.

Anthony Taylor sent off Chelsea full-back James for handling a Sadio Mane shot during a penalty-box melee after reviewing the footage on the advice of the video assistant referee.

The Blues were furious with the decision but channelled it in a positive fashion as Tuchel’s men dug deep to secure a point.

“I don’t like these early red cards of course – not at Liverpool when we play but in general,” the Chelsea manager said.

“(It’s a) pretty tough one but we did excellent and we are super happy how we did and we feel like we deserved a point.

“For me it’s a bit the spoiler of the game. Nobody I think wants to see that for 45 minutes, they want to see a high-level game and even me when I’m watching on TV I don’t like it."

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said: “The performance was really good against the strongest Chelsea side for a long, long time."

Player ratings from the match can be seen in the picture gallery above. To view the next image, click on the arrows or swipe if on a mobile device.

Updated: August 29, 2021, 3:50 AM