It was a celebratory night at Anfield as Liverpool finally get their occasion to lift the glimmering Premier league trophy after thirty long years in their final home game of the season. They wouldn’t have made it sweeter by thrashing top four candidates Chelsea with a scoreline that reads 5-3 in favour of the Reds.
An extraordinary strike from Naby Keita followed by a beauty of a free-kick from Alexander-Arnold and Gini Wijnaldum set the tone for the champions before Giroud pull one back for the visitors at the very end of the first half.
It wasn’t a different tale in the second half as Trent delivered a breathtaking cross to Firmino to end his goal drought at home and despite Chelsea paving the way for a comeback, Oxlade Chamberlain’s strike towards the final whistle ensured the beginning of the party unscarred.
There was a lot of talking points in this eight-goal thriller and we look at five important talking points from the game.
Anfield is a fortress for Liverpool
With or without fans, Anfield remains a true fortress for Liverpool for three full seasons. Amongst the records set in this season of galore, the Reds had managed to go unbeaten in their last 59 home games since 2017. It is feat reached for the first time in the club’s history. With the victory tonight, they also equalled the most point tally achieved at home (55) set by Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City in 2005/06, 2010/11, 2011/12 campaigns respectively.
This shows that Anfield is a tough place to visit for any side and even tougher to claim a victory. It resembles the club’s winning mentality at their home and they are one of the few sides in Europe to do so with the likes of Barcelona, Juventus, etc. The 5-3 thrashing of Chelsea also showed the team’s resilient character in taking on any opposition at their place.
Naby Keita is capable of being a starter if fit for Liverpool
In a night when everybody shined, Naby Keita produces a bit of magic in scoring the team’s first goal with a blistering strike from outside of the box. And not only because of his strike but his overall contributions on the pitch had been top-notch. He is a man to rely on if he stays fit and not lose his place in the competitive midfield trio that Klopp has in his disposal.
Keita is capable of showing more and if he prepares himself to be a hardworking midfielder, the club won’t be looking to bring in recruitments in that area at least for now.
Pulisic is Chelsea’s man to watch out for
The 21-year-old American is turning up the heat for the Blues. He is the one keeping the hopes of top-four berth alive. The ex-Dortmund player came on from the bench in the second half of the game. He immediately turned the game for his side. After laying Tammy Abraham for team’s second of the night, he got himself on the scoresheet. He tried to snatch an important point out of the champions, though it failed.
Although the wanted comeback didn’t work, it showed just what Chelsea are to expect from the lad in the future. After the season restarted, he’s been in a terrific form. The performance on the night drew comparisons with the departed hero, Eden Hazard. If Chelsea taste Champions League football, it is his role that will ensure it.
Defensive issue a headache for Lampard
When the scoreline is 5-3, it is little positive you can take from a losing side. Despite being a commendable force in their attack, Frank’s worry will be the Blue’s defence that let him down once again. The way they allowed Liverpool to brush aside them is hard to take. The likes of Rudiger, Zouma or Christensen won’t work for this side. Especially, for a team that is dreaming to go on top once again in the next season.
So, it puts pressure on the club’s board to take defensive reinforcement seriously now. They have to move quickly in the summer window after strengthening their already encouraging front-line.
Kepa on his way out
As is the story for the entirety of the season, Kepa Arrizabalaga’s performance on the night again showed why Chelsea ought to bring a goalkeeper ahead of the new season. The most expensive goalkeeper on the planet has the lowest save percentage rate in the league. He was incapable of doing anything with all the five goals thrown at him on Wednesday night.
Chelsea is in the market for goalkeeping options with possible links to Jan Oblak of Atletico Madrid. Along with that, they are also linked with the most clean-sheet holder, Nick Pope of Burnley. However, they need to do something quickly. That is if they are to stop leaking goals drastically in the new season.
