We played football like hell and it was brilliant to watch, it was wonderful.
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A poor Chelsea corner in the last 90 seconds failed to produce a second goal and secure a draw for the home team, who looked dejected as they waved to fans after the final whistle.
“I don’t know if they are still affected by last season but, I repeat, when you finish the season in 10th place, something odd is there”.
“I’ve managed for 16 years and I get asked that all the time”, said the German, whose side visit second-tier Derby County in the League Cup on Tuesday. “We knew it would be hard as Chelsea are a good side but I thought we defended well and deserved the three points”, added Henderson, barely able to contain a smile when asked about beating Blues ‘keeper Thibault Courtois from a good 30-yards out. It’s about finding a solution for the opponent.
The mention of a Premier League title challenge brought a smile from Jurgen Klopp, who said: “We have to prove [our quality] every week”. The second goal was a major blow and although it was one of those flawless hits that come around only once in a while, there were still things that Chelsea did wrong. “We have to improve, but we don’t run like insane all the time”.
Chelsea, with £32m defender David Luiz making his first appearance since returning to Chelsea from Paris St-Germain as replacement for the injured John Terry, pulled one back through Diego Costa but their laboured performance deserved nothing from this game.
The result moves Liverpool on to 10 points – level with Chelsea – as Antonio Conte suffered his first defeat as Blues head coach.
“I told the lads before the game anything can happen, but if we lose we must lose in our way. We tried to not let them have space but we conceded two goals, the first after a quick free-kick and the second after a throw-in and Henderson was free”. “I see him in every training session with great work and effort”.
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“I always thought that this team needed to find a good balance when you have the ball and, above all, when you don’t have the ball”, Conte said to The Guardian. “These are tough games, and I think you must pay attention in every moment, in every minute, in every second of the game because the details make the difference”. Nevertheless, Klopp’s side were dominant in midfield and, as Manchester City did last weekend, showed that those teams who are confident enough to press opposition high up the pitch are certainly having the best of these early league months. The reign of Conte has just begun and no doubt change and adjustment will shape his first Premier League season and perhaps alter Fabregas’ status as well.
