Liverpool 2-1 Chelsea player ratings: Jones makes the difference as Reds stay top | OneFootball

Liverpool will end Premier League matchday eight as leaders after running out 2-1 winners over Chelsea this afternoon.

Arne Slot’s men were again indebted to Mohamed Salah, who has now both scored and assisted in 34 separate Premier League matches, with only Wayne Rooney doing so in more games in competition history (36).

Salah broke the deadlock from 12 yards before setting up Curtis Jones’ winner. Nicolas Jackson had briefly equalised for the visitors.

This result also means that only Pep Guardiola (who won the first 10) has reached ten wins in all competitions as a Premier League manager in fewer matches than Arne Slot (who won 10 of the first 11 with Liverpool).

As for Chelsea, they haven’t won any of their last ten meetings with Liverpool across all competitions (D7 L3), while only once in their history have they had a longer winless run against the Reds (11 games – May 1985-October 1990).

Liverpool player ratings

Caoimhín Kelleher: 48%

Deputsting for the injured Alisson, but couldn’t mark this performance with a clean sheet. Otherwise, Kelleher would be forced to make one save.

Andy Robertson: 58%

He won two tackles and made two clearances with seven final third entries, but he couldn’t impact the Reds attack with a chance created.

Virgil van Dijk: 60%

He was dominant in Liverpool’s defence, registering four clearances, winning his sole aerial duel and making one interception.

Ibrahima Konaté: 51%

Made two clearances and one successful tackle. He ended up boasting a team-high 92% retention rate.

Trent Alexander-Arnold: 56%

Alexander-Arnold successfully won four tackles and made four clearances but was dribbled past once. Although he managed five final third entries, he could not create a chance.

Curtis Jones: 70%

A marquee performance from the young Englishman, who posted two shots on goal with both on target, including his match-winner. He also created another chance and had four touches in Chelsea’s penalty area, which is notable considering how deep he played. Jones also made an interception in the box that looked likely to result in a Cole Palmer goal and won a penalty. Also, his two won tackles were more than anyone in the game.

Ryan Gravenberch: 45%

A quiet performance in Liverpool’s middle third. Gravenberch registered five ball recoveries and won 100% of his aerial duels.

Cody Gakpo: 52%

A rare Premier League start for the Dutch forward, who had one shot on goal (xG 0.02) while also creating a single chance (xA 0.15). He wouldn’t complete the full 90 minutes as Luis Diaz replaced him in the 66th minute.

Dominik Szoboszlai: 50%

He was dribbled past on three occasions in an outing where he struggled to impose himself. As the Reds ‘number ten’ Szoboszlai created no chances and had one shot on goal.

Mohamed Salah: 70%

Put the Reds in front after converting a 29th-minute spot-kick. He would then create Jones’ winner. Salah also registered five touches in the opposition penalty box and three take-ons completed.

Diogo Jota: 30%

He would come off in the 30th minute with a suspected injury. During his time on the pitch, Jota wouldn’t create a chance or have a shot towards goal. The much-maligned Darwin Núñez replaced him in Liverpool’s attack.

Chelsea player ratings

Robert Sánchez: 58%

Produced three saves, two of which were made inside the penalty area. He did, however, concede twice and nearly conceded a penalty.

Malo Gusto: 60%

He was stationed at left-back to coincide with James’ return, and Gusto was busy with four interceptions made and three tackles won, but he was restricted going forward (no chances created).

Levi Colwill: 49%

Even though he won two tackles and made three clearances while registering seven ball recoveries and winning possession five times in the defensive third, Colwill did concede the penalty that led to Salah’s opener which ultimately impacted his rating.

Tosin Adarabioyo: 49%

Hauled off before the hour mark. He won possession once in the defensive third and registered two ball recoveries. He also picked up an early yellow card.

Reece James: 58%

Making a long-awaited return to Chelsea’s starting lineup. James made one interception, which led to possession retention and nine final third entries before he was taken off early into the second half.

Roméo Lavia: 66%

Started ahead of Enzo Fernández, who replaced him in the 53rd minute. Lavia registered two interceptions and completed all three attempted take-ons while posting a 96% open-play passing accuracy.

Moisés Caicedo: 59%

Caicedo succeeded in all his attempted take-ons and wasn’t dribbled past once. He also made a team-high ten final third entries, including playing the ball leading to Jackson’s equaliser.

Jadon Sancho: 47%

Sancho created no chances and didn’t attempt a shot on goal despite having touched the ball five times in Liverpool’s penalty area.

Cole Palmer: 51%

A subdued outing for Chelsea’s most valuable player, who created one chance and had four shots on goal with none on target.

Noni Madueke: 52%

He started the game promisingly before tailing off. Madueke would be taken off deep into the second half, before which he created one chance but wouldn’t be registered as a ‘big chance’. His sole attempt at goal was on target, and he did register five touches in the opposition box.

Nicolas Jackson: 61%

It was a much better performance than last time out by virtue of scoring. That effort came from two shots on goal (0.33 xG), though he also managed two touches in the opposition box.

How do Squawka player ratings work?

Squawka’s new player rating system is wholly stats-based. Player scores are based on the numbers they put up across a range of on-ball events, from goals scored to tackles won.

We tailored each score to the players’ respective positions using extensive research and expertise. For example, forwards are rated on metrics like shots on target, touches in the opposition box, and big chances created. Meanwhile, centre-backs are rewarded for winning aerial duels, making blocks, successful long-range passes, etc.

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