THE Mauricio Pochettino era at Chelsea has officially begun against Liverpool – and it has got off to the worst start.
It has been a tense battle with both teams looking dangerous on the attack.
However, Luis Diaz's strike has finally broken the deadlock after Mo Salah's incredible pick-out.
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- Chelsea XI: Sanchez; Disasi, Silva, Colwill; James, Gallagher, Fernandez, Chukwuemeka, Chilwell; Sterling, Jackson
- Liverpool XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gakpo, MacAllister, Szoboszlai; Salah, Jota, Diaz
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- By Sam Dymond
Chelsea 0-1 Liverpool
28. Approaching the half hour mark, and Chelsea have dominated possession – 60% to 40% – but it's Liverpool that have had more shots (five to the hosts' three).
- By Sam Dymond
Chelsea 0-1 Liverpool
26. Back down the other end, and perhaps Salah should have made it two.
It's a role-reversal this time as Diaz breaks free on the left before teeing up Liverpool's main man.
Salah takes a touch to steady himself before curling straight at the legs of Silva.
- By Sam Dymond
Chelsea 0-1 Liverpool
24. Jackson strikes wide!
It's a wayward effort from the Senegalese striker as he drags a left-footed effort wide from the edge of the box, but it's a chance that he made himself by shrugging off the presence of three Liverpool defenders.
- By Sam Dymond
Chelsea 0-1 Liverpool
22. Jackson continues to hustle and bustle in the Chelsea attack.
The former Villarreal striker certainly looks as though he has something about him.
- By Sam Dymond
Chelsea 0-1 Liverpool
20. Chilwell goes down theatrically in the box under a challenge from Konate.
The home fans roar for a penalty but Anthony Taylor simply waves the player to his feet.
- By Sam Dymond
Chelsea 0-1 Liverpool
18. Brilliant goal!
Liverpool work the ball from defence to attack, from left to right and back again, and take the lead in style.
It starts with Alisson, and leads to Alexis Mac Allister pinging out a pass to Mo Salah on the right touchline.
What comes next from the Egyptian is genius, as he curls a wonderful low cross through a line of Chelsea defenders that falls perfectly for Luis Diaz to slide in beyond Robert Sanchez.
A world class assist from a world class player.
- By Sam Dymond
Liverpool take the lead!
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Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool
17. Gallagher gets caught out again…
- By Sam Dymond
Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool
16. Chelsea are enjoying themselves down the right thanks to Sterling's positioning and James' overlaps.
They combine again to allow the latter cross low in the direction of Jackson at the near post, only for Alisson to dive off his line and smother.
- By Sam Dymond
Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool
14. Enzo Fernandez has broke forward on a couple of occasions…
…which is all well and good until you realise it's leaving Conor Gallagher as Chelsea's defensive midfield.
The England man is up against it at the moment.
- By Sam Dymond
Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool
12. Salah! Off the crossbar!
It's been end-to-end stuff in the past few minutes, a spell of attacking almost capped by the opening goal.
Seconds after Konate had blocked a Fernandez shot, Liverpool broke downfield with Gakpo in behind the Chelsea defence.
The Dutchman inexplicably opts not to shoot himself, instead feeding Mo Salah. The Egyptian takes a touch, and then curls a thumper against the woodwork above Sanchez's outstretched arm.
- By Sam Dymond
Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool
10. Better from the Blues, who win the game's first corner thanks to a darting run down the right from James.
They play it short and then almost find Jackson with a looped cross that is instead headed clear by Konate.
- By Sam Dymond
Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool
8. Under strict instruction from Mauricio Pochettino, Chelsea begin to steady themselves.
I wonder if the Argentine's decision to switch the dugouts at Stamford Bridge helped him to get his message across.
- By Sam Dymond
Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool
6. Liverpool have certainly been on top in the opening minutes with the hosts still getting to grips with their new-look team and tactics.
Amid the confusion, Szoboszlai races into the box for Jota to slash wide.
- By Sam Dymond
Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool – Chukwuemeka yellow card
4. Ouch! Carney Chukwuemeka chases a high ball, and, in his attempt to control, clatters his studs into the chest of Ibrahima Konate.
It brings referee Anthony Taylor immediately over with a yellow card, and the Chelsea youngster could perhaps count himself lucky that the punishment isn't worse.
- By Sam Dymond
Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool
3. "Trent Alexander-Arnold with a bit of swaz…"
Welcome to Super Sunday, Peter Drury.
- By Sam Dymond
Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool
2. While supporters, commentators, journalists and (even a few) players attempt to figure out the formations of each side, Mac Allister whips in the game's first cross that flicks off the head of Jota for a goalkick.
- By Sam Dymond
Kick-off – Chelsea v Liverpool
1. After a minute's applause in memory of John Hollins, and the taking of the knee in the fight against racism, we are off at the Bridge.
It's Chelsea versus Liverpool. It's Blue versus Red. It's London versus Merseyside. Winner gets Moises Caicedo.
- By Sam Dymond
Here come the two teams!
A new season, and two new captains to lead out these famous clubs.
Reece James has been handed the captain's armband by Mauricio Pochettino, while Virgil van Dijk has stepped in at Liverpool following Jordan Henderson's exit.
There are plenty of new faces backing the skippers up too as the teams emerge from the tunnel to the tune of The Liquidator.
There is a lot of excitement in the air. A lot of expectancy. And a lot of eager anticipation.
Here we go!
- By Sam Dymond
Poch has faith in Sanchez
The omission of Kepa Arrizabalaga has sparked tongues wagging that the Spanish goalkeeper is on his way out of Stamford Bridge – and it's a theory that appears to have been backed up by Maurico Pochettino.
Speaking ahead of kick-off, the Argentine admitted the goalkeeping situation has developed quickly, but he and his staff have complete trust in the recently-signed Robert Sanchez.
With Kepa, it is something that has happened very quick and it is a situation that is correct [as per recent media reports]. Our focus is on this game and the players that are involved today and, of course, we have big trust in Robert.
Mauricio PochettinoSky Sports
- By Sam Dymond
Colwill finally gets his chance
Amid the rafts of new signings, it was easy to miss that there is a fourth debutant in the Chelsea team this afternoon.
Levi Colwill has been on the Blues' books since he was nine-years-old, and today – finally – the young defender will finally get the chance to represent the club's first team.
The 20-year-old was excellent on loan at Brighton last season, and fully deserves this opportunity.
LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 13: The shirt of Levi Colwill is seen inside the Chelsea dressing room prior to the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Liverpool FC at Stamford Bridge on August 13, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
- By Sam Dymond
Salah set on continuing run
Chelsea may have made a habit of winning their opening game of the season, but they've yet to face a forward with a first day record like Mo Salah.
The Egyptian ace has scored in Liverpool's opening Premier League game in all six of his seasons with the Merseyside club.
His total of eight matchday one goals is a joint record in the competition.
- By Sam Dymond
Hazard warning at Stamford Bridge
It's not often that spotting a hazard brings good fortune, but Chelsea will be hoping the appearance of one of their favourite sons – Eden Hazard – has a positive effect on the current crop of Blues talent.
The 32-year-old is currently without a club after his contract at Real Madrid was terminated in June.
Credit: @philipwohltorf Twitter - By Sam Dymond
No opening day Blues for Chelsea
No Premier League club knows the benefit of getting off to a good start more than Chelsea.
And that's because no side have won more opening Premier League games than the Blues, who have taken three points to begin the campaign on 20 occasions.
Unsurprisingly , the Londoners have also picked up more points on matchday one than any other club, landing an impressive 66.
- By Sam Dymond
Mac Allister and Szoboszlai start for Reds
There are two debutants in the Liverpool team; Alexis Mac Allister, the World Cup winner signed from Brighton, and Hungarian international Dominik Szoboszlai play alongside Cody Gakpo in Jurgen Klopp's new-look midfield.
Otherwise, it's a familiar look to the visitors, who go with Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz next to Mo Salah in their front three.
Following Jordan Henderson's departure to Saudi Arabia, Virgil van Dijk takes the captain's armband.
Liverpool (4-3-3): 1 Alisson; 66 Alexander-Arnold, 5 Konate, 4 Van Dijk, 26 Robertson; 8 Szoboszlai, 10 Mac Allister, 18 Gakpo; 11 Salah, 20 Jota, 7 Diaz
Subs: 62 Kelleher, 2 Gomez, 9 Nunez, 17 Jones, 19 Elliott, 21 Tsimikas, 32 Matip, 50 Doak, 53 McConnell
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