Liverpool are level at halftime after Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez cancelled out Ryan Gravenberch’s early goal to make it 1-1 at Anfield.
It did not take long for the home side to take the lead at Anfield, and it was Rio Ngumoha setting up Ryan Gravenberch for the goal. The teenager found the Dutchman at the edge of the box, and the midfielder curled the ball past a diving Filip Jorgensen with some venom.
Fans inside the stadium were not happy with the performance after the goal, with many calling for the players to show more intensity on the pitch. Ibrahima Konate was being targeted, as he tried to slow the game down way too often.
The fears came true for many Liverpool fans as Chelsea pulled level out of nowhere in the 35th minute. A free kick from Enzo Fernandez went past everyone inside the box, and the away fans were quick to chant ‘How sh*t must you be, we’ve just scored a goal’.
With both goals coming from long range, it marks the first time that the Reds have scored and conceded from outside the box in a Premier League game at Anfield since Feb 2022 against Norwich City.
Here are the ReadLiverpoolFC halftime ratings:
Girgio Mamardashvili – 7
Needed to make just one easy save in the early minutes, but was called into action soon after when Palmer played Joao Pedro through on goal. The Reds goalkeeper did well to pounce on the loose ball before the Brazilian got to it.
Very little he could do about the Chelsea goal, but if it wasn’t for him, the scoreline would have been in the away side’s favour today. He pulled off some impressive saves to deny Marc Cucurella and Enzo Fernandez.
Curtis Jones – 6
Chelsea kept attacking his side, and the Liverpool fan had no clue what to do. Marc Cucurella and Enzo Fernandez were getting through with ease and Arne Slot needs to switch the Englishman and Frimpong in the second half.
Virgil Van Dijk – 7
Solid at the back, but should have scored at the other end early in the game. He did well to escape from Enzo Fernandez, but his shot went over the bar from just yards out.
Ibrahima Konate – 6
He was under pressure from Joao Pedro today, but the Liverpool fans were on him more than the Chelsea players. The Anfield crowd was not happy with him slowing the game down when it was 1-0, instead of pushing forward.
Milos Kerkez – 7.5
Did well to manage the threat from Malo Gusto and was always available for a pass when Ngumoha needed him. He has been the best defender for the Reds today.
Dominik Szoboszlai – 5
Did not have a lot to do today, and surprisingly, only made backward passes today in the first 45 minutes. His only two attempts to pass forward were unsuccessful.
Alexis Mac Allister – 5
Yet another poor display from Mac Allister as he was trying to play it safe. He was unable to get the better of Caicedo and Palmer was also able to run past him with ease.
Ryan Gravenberch – 8
Smashing goal to kick things off, and then a solid display in the middle of the park. He was only one trying to defend in the midfield and needs help in the second half.
Jeremie Frimpong – 6
Questions need to be asked about Arne Slot even more now as Jones and Frimpong look lost. Hardly got the ball today, and Jorrel Hato had an easy time defending him.
Rio Ngumoha – 8
The teenager was in fine form during the first half, and the assist for the first goal was a great way to start the game. He was running rings around Malo Gusto, who had no clue how to handle the winger.
He is now the third youngest player to score or assist against Chelsea in the Premier League, after James Milner (16y 358d) and Lewis Miley (17y 208d).
Cody Gakpo – 5
He has been trying to wriggle past Levi Colwill and Wesley Fofana but has hardly got the ball. The only time he got on the ball inside the Chelsea box, he was offside and handled the ball.
