Updated 14:31, 09 May 2026<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/span><\/div>\n
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\nArne Slot’s side dropped two points on Saturday(Image: Ryan Browne\/Shutterstock)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/button><\/p>\n
Liverpool might just be sleepwalking out of the Champions League spots as Arne Slot’s side suffered a European blow against Chelsea on Saturday lunchtime.<\/p>\n
It had all started so well for the Reds, Ryan Gravenberch’s delightful effort curled past an outstretched Filip Jorgensen to send the Reds into the lead. And that could have very well been doubled by Virgil van Dijk.<\/p>\n
But the Dutchman fired the ball over the bar, after it unexpectedly fell to him the six-yard box. However, a moment of madness allowed Chelsea back into the game as Enzo Fernandez’s low cross avoided everyone and nestled into the far corner of the Reds goal.<\/p>\n
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\nLiverpool and Chelsea played out a 1-1 draw(Image: AFP via Getty Images)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/button><\/div>\n
JOIN US ON FB!<\/strong> Get all the best sports news and much more on our Facebook page<\/p>\nThe equaliser had been coming for Chelsea as it was the same old story for Liverpool – their midfield seemed to somewhat vanish as the Blues had the freedom of Anfield.<\/p>\n
Slot’s side could hardly lay a glove on Chelsea, who were waltzing through the Liverpool defence to create chance after chance. With the half-time whistle finally offering some semblance of rest-bite.<\/p>\n
Cole Palmer thought he had sent Chelsea ahead in the second period, but there was deemed to be an offside in the build-up – Cody Gakpo suffered the same fate not too long later.<\/p>\n
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\nEnzo Fernandez equalised with a strange free-kick(Image: Getty Images)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/button><\/div>\n
Liverpool were growing back into the game, largely thanks to their young superstar Rio Ngumoha. However, Slot’s decision to sub the youngster was met by boos from the Anfield crowd.<\/p>\n
“You desperately need a goal and the solution is removing your best player? Genuinely absurd,” one fan fumed. While a second said: “Rio Ngumoha: Liverpool’s biggest threat today. Arne Slot: Off you come, lad…”<\/p>\n
And another added: “Slot took off the one player who looked alive. Ngumoha was cooking. Gakpo ghosted all game. Fans let him hear it. Rightfully so…”<\/p>\n
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\nArne Slot was booed for the substitution(Image: Getty Images)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/button><\/div>\n
Liverpool seemed to lose that killer instinct when Ngumoha was hooked – and Chelsea started to grow again.<\/p>\n
The Blues wanted a penalty when Joao Pedro was brought down by Jeremie Frimpong, but VAR decided that Pedro had initiated the contact with the full-back.<\/p>\n
Slot’s side are currently fourth in the Premier League, but could see Aston Villa leapfrog them if they beat already-relegated Burnley on Sunday afternoon. While Bournemouth, who are sixth, can close the gap to five points.<\/p>\n
The Cherries are in action at 3pm against Fulham – it’s a big ask for a Champions League spot, but a win could put some unneeded pressure on Slot’s side heading into the final weeks.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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