While Manchester City continued their winning ways earlier in the day, Liverpool faced the club they have struggled to beat at home in recent years.
During a frenetic first half, the Reds played with the maturity and control that this vintage has established as a norm.
This side shows no panic, no pressure. As the half ended in a 0-0 tense deadlock, Liverpool looked unfazed going in for the break.
Upon returning to the pitch, the Reds rallied to score two goals in little more than two minutes to break Chelsea wide open in front of the Kop. Despite dropping 10 men behind the ball at times, the London side simply could not live with the Reds.
Both Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah scored to send an already ablaze Anfield into absolute elation. Mane’s breakthrough had been coming, but Salah’s second blew the roof off the ground. Anfield erupted in limbs and lyrics.
The result may ultimately be all that matters, but the manner was impressive. Shortly after doubling their advantage, Liverpool could smell the win. They pressed for a third so aggressively that they nearly conceded, giving two gilt-edged chances to Eden Hazard, who failed to convert either.
Everything but the score and that strike will fade, even Andrew Robertson slipping in a strange nod to ghosts of the last title challenge that faltered. Should the Reds win their first title in 29 years, Salah’s goal will be this season’s signature moment.
Here are four findings from the match.
