Havertz denied early goal for Chelsea in Anfield stalemate

In what was supposed to be a showdown of two heavyweights, Liverpool and Chelsea played out a goalless draw that did nothing to improve the mood surrounding both teams.

Chelsea began the game with intent, a rip-roaring start and it looked to have paid dividends as Kai Havertz stabbed home from a corner after only three minutes but it was chalked off for offside.

Chelsea continued to control the tempo throughout the first half, as Liverpool struggled to get into the game. Graham Potter's men needed to be more clinical in front of goal as they lacked the final action despite finding themselves in several good positions.  With Liverpool offering next to nothing in the first half, both teams went into the break at 0-0.

The second half saw a better start from Liverpool, they appeared faster and more determined but they were unable to sustain the pressure for long. 

Despite Chelsea getting many chances, including a few from new signing Mykhaylo Mudryk, who came on in the 55th minute, they were unable to finish them off. Mudryk showed flashes of cameo and gave Chelsea fans a ray of optimism in his brief spell on the field.

A Trent Alexander-Arnold effort was mis-hit and sliced wide in the final ten minutes, epitomizing the frustration in the final third for both sides on the day. 

The hosts had a late surge in an effort to snatch the points, but the cool heads of Thiago Silva and César Azpilicueta ushered the Chelsea rearguard over the line with aplomb to secure a hard-fought road point.

Despite failing to impress and pick up all three points, the result ensured Liverpool avoided losing their first three league games in a calendar year for the first time since 1953.

Up next, Liverpool will head to Brighton for the fourth round of the FA Cup, while Chelsea face Fulham in the Premier League.

Alisson did well for the hosts, and it’s scary to think about where Liverpool would be without him in between the sticks. With two saves, two punches, and two high claims, he was a difference maker, facing tougher shots than his Chelsea counterpart, Kepa Arrizabalaga.