Chelsea Hold Liverpool to 1-1 Draw at Anfield – EPL 25/26
Liverpool’s wait for Champions League clarity goes on after a 1-1 draw with out-of-form Chelsea at Anfield on Saturday. Ryan Gravenberch gave Arne Slot’s men an early lead, but they failed to build on it, with Enzo Fernandez levelling before the break to draw the Blues out of their losing run of form.
The Dutchman opened the scoring in the sixth minute, curling a delightful effort home after Rio Ngumoha worked the ball in from the touchline. This was then followed by a lacklustre display, allowing the Blues to grow into the contest. Fernandez’s low 35-yard free-kick then beat everyone in the box and snuck inside the far post for the 18th set-piece goal Liverpool have conceded this term.
The second half was filled with drama, but never really ignited. Cole Palmer thought he had put Chelsea ahead in the 49th minute, but VAR ruled the rebound out for offside. Less than 10 minutes later, Curtis Jones nodded home from a fine Milos Kerkez cross, only for the flag to deny him too. Szoboszlai crashed a shot off the left post, and Virgil van Dijk powered a header against the bar.
Six bookings in a feisty second period, and both sides wasted opportunities to grab all three points. João Pedro shot wide for the Blues, and Chelsea’s penalty claim for a Jeremie Frimpong challenge was dismissed by VAR. Liverpool’s xG of 0.51 was their lowest at home since March, with McFarlane’s visitors close behind on 0.47.
Ngumoha Substitution Sparks Anfield Backlash
There were missed chances and disallowed goals, but one of the biggest talking point after the match was Arne Slot’s decision to replace Rio Ngumoha with £130 million summer signing Alexander Isak in the 67th minute. The 17-year-old, who was behind Gravenberch’s opener, had been Liverpool’s brightest spark, winning more duels and ball recoveries than any other teammate.
The substitution flashed up on the board, and jeers swept around Anfield before quickly turning to “Rio” chants in appreciation of the academy graduate. Ngumoha had a muscle injury a few moments earlier, leaving Slot with no good options, he later explained. The Liverpool boss accepted the supporters’ frustration but insisted the teenager just couldn’t keep going at sprint capacity.
The episode highlights a broader disquiet at Anfield, with Slot conceding he is unlikely to regain the trust of fans this season. Liverpool can still qualify for the Champions League with favourable results elsewhere, while Chelsea turn their attention to next Saturday’s FA Cup final showdown with Manchester City.
