‘Unimpressive Liverpool miss an opportunity’

Here’s Richard Jolly’s final analysis from Anfield

Chelsea end their losing run and ensure they won’t equal the club record of seven straight league defeats, set in 1952. Liverpool miss an opportunity to all but book their spot in next season’s Champions League.

It may not cost them but this was unimpressive nonetheless, losing their way and the lead, and with Anfield evidently dissatisfied. There were boos at the final whistle.

(PA)

Richard Jolly at Anfield9 May 2026 14:33

FULL-TIME! Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea

All over at Anfield. That was a fun one to watch! A few boos at full-time from the Kop – I think mostly at the ref for the way the game ended.

Chelsea FINALLY end their losing run in the league, while Liverpool pay have to wait a while longer to mathematically secure Champions League qualification, depending how Bournemouth do against Fulham this afternoon.

Gravenberch opened the scoring with a stunner, Fernandez scored a bizarre free-kick and both teams then had goals disallowed. Entertaining stuff at Anfield

(PA)

Luke Baker9 May 2026 14:29

Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea, 90+6 mins

Chiesa frustrated as the referee puls play up for a free-kick to Liverpool when he wanted him to play on with the Reds in transition.

Gusto defends it well and then Palmer wins a free-kick on the touchline. This one is going to end all square.

Luke Baker9 May 2026 14:25

Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea, 90+2 mins

All Chelsea now. Reece James has impressed since coming on and he’s providing an attacking outlet down the right.

A ball is fizzed across the box but goes through and Liverpool survive

(Getty)

Luke Baker9 May 2026 14:20

Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea, 90 mins

Chelsea want a penalty as Frimpong and Pedro get their legs tangled in the box with the Chelsea player trying to get to the byline. VAR has a look and deems that it’s fine.

Into seven minutes of added time.

Luke Baker9 May 2026 14:18

Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea, 88 mins

Gomez fouls Fernandez and then refuses to give the ball back for a quick free-kick. He gets yellow carded by the referee.

Chelsea with a couple of attacking forays in the last few minutes but, unlike for the Labour government in yesterday’s local elections, the red wall is holding firm…

Luke Baker9 May 2026 14:16

Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea, 85 mins

Liverpool really pressing for a winner here. Another corner, more pulling, grabbing and general messiness in the box but Chelsea just about clear.

Luke Baker9 May 2026 14:14

CROSSBAR! Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea, 80 mins

Agonising for Liverpool! A corner whipped in and Van Dijk powers a header that clatters off the bar with Jorgensen beaten. So close!

Van Dijk also livid as he thought he should have had a penalty, with Caicedo draped all over him. VAR checks in the background and clears it.

It definitely feels like there’s another goal to come in this match.

(AP)

Luke Baker9 May 2026 14:10

‘Gakpo’s involvement started late…’

More from Richard Jolly at Anfield

Off goes Cody Gakpo, whose involvement started late, given that he didn’t touch the ball in the first 40 minutes…

Richard Jolly at Anfield9 May 2026 14:08

CLOSE! Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea, 77 mins

Almost sublime from Joao Pedro! He weaves between players, gets a bit of luck as he bundles through a couple of defenders on the edge of the box and the ball bounces back to him, then he shapes his body and tries to curl into the far corner but it’s just wide. Not far at all!

Liverpool make a double sub as Joe Gomez and Federico Chiesa come on for Konate and Gakpo.

Luke Baker9 May 2026 14:06