Chelsea, winner of the 2020 Premier League summer transfer window, was defeated by England’s actual champion Liverpool 2-0 on Sunday in a match that’ll probably force the Blues to dip back into the market in a bid to replace the world’s most expensive goalkeeper.
Even when Kepa does right — as was the case when outrushing to meet Jordan Henderson’s long pass for Sadio Mané at the stroke of halftime — it all goes wrong. Andreas Christensen was given a red card for tackling Mané to the turf despite the goalkeeper’s opportunity for intervention.
Andreas Christensen is sent off for this tackle on Sadio Mane pic.twitter.com/l9u6JWospD
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) September 20, 2020
Five minute after halftime, with Thiago now on the pitch after replacing Henderson, Liverpool opened the scoring after Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah played a one-two (the Egyptian’s return pass was perfectly weighted), and the Brazilian clipped a cross for Mané to steer home with his head.
The teamwork on Mane's goal is a thing of beauty #MyPLMorning pic.twitter.com/fd3sR99fWT
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) September 20, 2020
Four minutes later, Kepa went on tilt. The 25-year-old had all the time in the world to pick his pass, but he played it straight to Mané.
Mane scores his second off a Kepa mistake. #MyPLMorning pic.twitter.com/CqKn47O4Ah
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) September 20, 2020
In the 73rd minute, Thiago brought down Timo Werner in the area, but Alisson stonewalled Jorginho from the spot to preserve Liverpool’s two-goal cushion. Werner looked sharp in possession throughout — the same can’t be said about Kai Havertz, who looked sluggish in the opening 45 minutes before getting hooked for Fikayo Tomori at halftime.
Chelsea returns to action on Wednesday against Barnsley in the EFL Cup third round before traveling to the Hawthorns to play West Brom on Saturday. Liverpool plays Lincoln City on Thursday in the EFL Cup before hosting Arsenal next Monday.
