TOPS
Recruited this summer for 45 million euros, the vice world champion Axel Disasi succeeded in the best of ways his first meeting in the jersey of the Blues. First in the hard at the start of the game, he was able to seize his chance to put his people back in the game. Like a surface fox, the central defender pulled away to take back a ball put in the box by Sterling and allow Pochettino’s men to equalize. Before reuniting with Benoit Badiashile, his former partner in Monaco, Disasi has scored points and could well establish himself as a key player in the Chelsea defense.
We had missed him. Reds star Mohamed Salah has already shown the full extent of his talent as soon as the championship resumes. Comfortable with the ball, the Egyptian put the Blues’ defense through an ordeal in the first period. A decisive passer on the first goal with a perfectly deposited ball in a tight space, the 31-year-old winger almost had the perfect game by also shaking the net. But with nothing, he was reported offside. If Liverpool wants to return to the Champions League at the end of the season, it will be necessary to count on a great Salah, decisive like this Sunday.
Often injured since joining the Reds in January 2022, the prolonged absence of Luis Diaz hurt Jurgen Klopp’s men a lot last season. Author of an excellent preparation, the Colombian has shown that it is necessary to count on him this year. The former Porto player was decisive against Chelsea. In the first half, well served by Salah, Diaz allowed Liverpool to take the lead. Less prominent in the second half, the 26-year-old still set fire to his wing as soon as he was served.
FLOPS
Yet well supported, Diogo Jota missed his recovery. The Portuguese, tenured alone at the forefront of Liverpool’s attack, struggled to be found by his partners. His races, his shots and his attempts did not reassure. The former Wolves player has been obliterated in the Blues defence. Proof of his inefficiency, he was the first player to be replaced by Darwin Nunez in the second half.
New Chelsea number one, the former Brighton goalkeeper has the heavy task of making Kepa and Mendy forget, just that. Recruited for 23 million euros this summer, the Spaniard was not decisive against Liverpool. Unlike Alisson, Robert Sanchez did not reassure the ball at the foot and in the air. The 1m97 goalkeeper still provided a few easy ball catches and a good outing but is far from expectations. When Chelsea are dominated, it is always reassuring to have a goalkeeper ready to be decisive to restart the machine.