Our 3️⃣ points as Chelsea launch fightback to hold Liverpool | OneFootball

It was honours even between Chelsea and Liverpool after their 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

Here are three points we took from the game …

💭 Catch your breath

Both sides were hit with COVID and injury absentees but that clearly didn’t matter because what a game of football we were treated to.

Yes, defensively there were issues with individual errors and high lines, but there were four excellent goals with two of real quality from Mohamed Salah and Mateo Kovačić.

N’Golo Kanté was imperious in midfield, Trent Alexander-Arnold displayed his ridiculous passing range and both goalkeepers were at their best to keep the score down.

It was frantic, it was fast-paced and we loved every minute. Maybe not as much as Manchester City though!

💣 Life without Lukaku

It dominated the pre-match chat and Thomas Tuchel came out with credit after dropping Romelu Lukaku from his matchday squad.

The Belgian has struggled anyway since his €115m move from Inter – scoring just five Premier League goals – and his recent interview was the straw that broke the camel’s back.

It was a big decision because Chelsea are not the most prolific side and against Liverpool, you would understand the thinking to include their star striker and punish him later.

But the squad reacted well and others will now be called upon to contribute, with Kai Havertz, Timo Werner, Callum Hudson-Odoi and others needing goals – not just Jorginho.

🌍 AFCON effect

The traditional ‘top six’ will all lose players to AFCON but Liverpool will be sweating – and this result was just another example of why.

Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mané are both incredible players, have scored 24 of their 52 goals (assisting ten more) and remain crucial to how they play offensively and defensively.

Mané is razor sharp in the final third and was on hand to pounce and finish with composure for his goal, while Salah’s individual brilliance and technique was there for all to see.

A big question mark remains about how they will cope for the remainder of this month.