At 0:30 a.m. Beijing time on January 3, the 21st round of the Premier League ushered in a focus battle: Chelsea vs Liverpool.
In the first match of this round, Manchester City beat Arsenal 2:1 away, and the 11 consecutive Premier League wins continued to lead strongly. In the Premier League table, Manchester City ranks first with 53 points in 21 games, Chelsea ranks second with 42 points in 20 games, and Liverpool ranks third with 41 points in 19 games.
In this game, both sides must strive to win so as not to be pulled apart by the leaders Manchester City, but how easy is it to beat each other? If it is a draw, then Manchester City is "fisherman's profit".
In the first leg of the season, Liverpool were forced to draw 1-1 at home by Chelsea. What will be the result of this change of venue and re-fight?
Chelsea started 3421, With Havertz in the centre-forward position, pulisic and Mount on both sides, midfielders Alonso, Kovacic, Kante and Azpilicueta, three centre-backs Rudiger, Thiago Silva, Chaloba and goalkeeper E. Mendy. The total value of the starting eleven is 400 million euros.
Liverpool started 433, Jota formed a forward trident with Mane and Salah, midfielders Milner, Fabinho and Henderson, four defenders Zimmikas, Van Dijk, Conat, Arnold and goalkeeper Kelleher. The total value of the starting eleven is 500 million euros.
As soon as the game began, it seemed inflamed, and in the 5th second, Mane was shown a yellow card for elbowing a Chelsea player when he was fighting for the top. In the 5th minute, Mane's cross was met by Salah's shot that was saved by Mendy. In the 7th minute, Arnold made a mistake and Pulisic formed a one-handed knife but was saved when he tried to swing past the goalkeeper. Both sides attacked and defended each other.
The first to break the deadlock was Liverpool, With Chaloba making a mistake and being cut off by Mane, who opened the door and shot wide. Liverpool, who played away, led Chelsea 1-0.
In the 25th minute, Liverpool extended their lead when Alexander-Arnold made a long pass and Salah took the ball and scored it. Liverpool lead Chelsea 2-0.
In the 36th minute, Liverpool counter-attacked with more and less, but Salah's shot was blocked out of the line.
Liverpool's attack is powerful, but the defence does not dare to compliment. In the 41st minute, Chelsea's free kick in front of the field, Alonso's direct shot was saved by Kelleher, the ball reached the feet of Kovacic, Kovacic scored the ball, the goal is quite wonderful. In the 45th minute, Kante passed the ball into the box, Pulisic took the ball and formed a single knife, a foot shot, the ball was in.
At half-time, Liverpool, who led 2-0, were equalised by Chelsea.
In the second half, the two sides continued to strengthen their offensive attacks, but no one could help anyone, and finally could only accept a 2-2 draw, each taking 1 point.
At the end of the battle, Chelsea still ranked second in the Premier League table with 43 points, and was pulled apart by the leader Manchester City by 10 points, and Liverpool, who scored 42 points in the first round of the game, was still in third place. In the next round, Chelsea will play Manchester City away, and if they lose, the hopes of this season's title race will be basically shattered.