In the ‘Moises Caicedo derby’ Chelsea and Liverpool played out their traditional draw but it felt like a morale, rather than a moral, victory for the home side.
If this is what Pochball 2.0 looks like – with Mauricio Pochettino returning to the Premier League as Chelsea head coach – then bring it on.
Chelsea were entertaining, vibrant and vulnerable but they will also feel as if they should have won. As will Liverpool. Both sides had long periods of dominance and had the chances but, as in their previous six meetings, it ended in a draw.
In the executive boxes sat the owners – Chelsea’s Todd Boehly and Liverpool’s John W Henry – prompting the conclusion surely that the pursuit of the Brighton midfielder, Caicedo, would have been up for discussion.
Chelsea seem set to win that race with a £115million bid although Liverpool’s need for a holding midfielder feels more urgent.
The sides traded first-half goals, with Luis Diaz opening the scoring for Liverpool before that was cancelled out by Axel Disasi on his debut. Both also had goals disallowed for offside after Var checks.
Liverpool’s was scored by Mohamed Salah who also provided a brilliant assist but he left the pitch early and was not happy at all at being substituted by Jurgen Klopp.
