Carra: First big Anfield result for Slot | Are Liverpool challengers now?

Jamie Carragher described Liverpool’s hard-fought 2-1 victory over Chelsea as “the first big result at Anfield” of the Arne Slot reign – while Micah Richards said it has underlined their Premier League title credentials.

Curtis Jones scored the winner as Liverpool returned to the top of the Premier League with a hard-fought 2-1 victory against Chelsea.

The Reds midfielder capped a superb display when he struck at the back post moments after Nicolas Jackson’s 48th-minute effort had cancelled out Mohamed Salah’s first-half penalty at Anfield.

It was a strong response from Slot’s side after champions Manchester City had won earlier on Sunday to temporarily move into first place.

Liverpool have now won 10 out of their first 11 games under their new Dutch boss and their performance and resolve in what was arguably their toughest test to date was impressive.

Carragher told Sky Sports: “It was a brilliant game. Chelsea more than played their part in it. It almost feels like the first really big game or result for Slot at Anfield.

“We’ve spoken before about the atmosphere, but Anfield really gets going in games like this. Liverpool were under the cosh at times and they needed the Anfield crowd to get them over the line.

“It feels like a really big win and Arne Slot knows that. Liverpool weren’t at their best but they found a way to win and that’s been the hallmark of so many great Liverpool teams in the past.”

‘Jones display shows Liverpool don’t need Zubimendi’

Chelsea levelled in the opening minutes of the second half as Jackson found the bottom corner after being fed by Moises Caicedo.

The flag was initially raised but VAR proved his run was perfectly timed.

Parity did not last long as Liverpool restored their lead moments later, Jones making a superb late run to turn in Salah’s low ball at the back post.

“Curtis Jones was brilliant, he was outstanding,” said Carragher. “He’s still at that stage where he doesn’t know for certain if he is first choice, when you have got [Ryan] Gravenberch and [Alexis] Mac Allister.

But what a performance that was, when you think of the quality on the pitch and the money that has been spent. For a local lad to be player of the match…

“I wonder if Arne Slot is going to go back in for [Real Sociedad midfielder Martin] Zubimendi in January, but when you see how he played today you think ‘no’.

“He has to now do it on a consistent basis.”

Carra: We saw Slot’s emotional side

“Slot is not as emotional as Klopp, but he got wrapped up in the game today,” added Carragher.

“It was the first Anfield atmosphere he’s been involved in. When Liverpool were under the cosh, you could see his reaction when Darwin Nunez got a foul given against him, you could see he showed elements of Jurgen Klopp – but he is a different manager.

“I think what the supporters are enjoying is that he is being himself. He is not trying to play up to being someone else.”

“The players are buying into the manager and his personality,” said Daniel Sturridge who scored 67 goals in 160 appearances for Liverpool between 2013 and 2019.

“They know the demands are different compared to Jurgen Klopp both on and off the pitch. He is demanding but everyone knows just how demanding Jurgen was, so it’s refreshing.

The players can feel more relaxed from being at home the day before the game. The players are performing under him so whatever he’s doing behind the scenes is working.”

Chelsea roared back after Jones’ decisive strike but Cole Palmer shot into a crowded area and lively substitute Pedro Neto drove wide.

The visitors applied pressure until the end but were unable to find a way through as Liverpool dug deep and held on.

Richards added: “Liverpool are challengers now – there’s no mistake about it.

“Chelsea were exceptional at times during the game but Liverpool, in the way they can see out a game and adapt with the slower build-up, and the way they feed off the crowd’s energy, I feel they have the chance to go all the way this year.

“Arne Slot has brought a bit of calmness. Defensively Liverpool look more solid. Under Jurgen Klopp it was amazing to watch, but as defenders you could be exposed.

“The timing which defenders drop back and push up is a lot more balanced.”

Only Pep Guardiola (won first 10) has reached 10 wins in all competitions as a Premier League manager in fewer matches than Slot.

Enzo Maresca will be encouraged by his Chelsea side’s overall display. Their pass completion rate (88.1%) was the highest on record (since 2003-04) by an away team in a Premier League game at Anfield, with the previous-highest being Guardiola’s Manchester City in October 2022 (87.8%).

Speaking on commentary, Gary Neville reflected: “Both sets of fans applaud and will feel happy with parts of what they saw. Chelsea fans feel their team have done okay but in the end it was just too much for them.

“Arne Slot has picked up a team that are further ahead in their development than Chelsea. In terms of game management and quality, Liverpool just had more of it. They deservedly won.”

Carra: Chelsea are CL contenders – but they need new ‘keeper

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca felt his side deserved more at Anfield.

Maresca told Sky Sports: “We don’t like to lose or drop points, but I really liked the performance. We deserved something more but the performance was good.

“We controlled most of the game. We had chances, we had possession. I don’t think this game defines where we are.”

On refereeing decisions, he added: “I didn’t see anything in terms of decisions from the referee. The only thing I can see in this stadium is the noise of the crowd.

“The only thing I can say is the referee is there to make decisions. Sometimes they are right, sometimes they are wrong. Sometimes it is because of the noise (of the crowd), but overall I think they did OK.”

Carragher believes the performance at Anfield demonstrated that Chelsea can compete for a Champions League place this season – but he remains unconvinced by goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, who he claims was at fault for Jones’ winner.

“It’s so poor from Chelsea’s point of view,” he told Sky Sports. “Reece James ambles in there. The goalkeeper is so poor. It was a poor touch from Curtis Jones really, and it’s poor from the goalkeeper.

“Sanchez has got to go and win that ball. Jones should be terrified that a goalkeeper is coming towards him. You have got to get there and hope it hits you in the face and you keep it out.

“Chelsea need a new goalkeeper if they want to get back to where they want to be – but overall they were excellent. When managers come up against each other they try to do something different to throw the oppositions setup.

“They caused Liverpool problems. In terms of control of the game Chelsea were better, but what let them down was the goalkeeper.

“The thing Chelsea didn’t do enough of in the second half was create chances. Liverpool were hanging on at times and they were hanging on to get to the final whistle.”

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