Liverpool played their final home game of the season and served up an eight-goal-thriller in a 5-3 victory over Chelsea at Anfield. With the stage literally set for the trophy lift in the Kop, the Reds had to put all celebration thoughts aside for 90 minutes to ensure going the entire league season unbeaten at home. It got pretty hairy at times, but we came through it and bagged all three points.
In goal, despite conceding three, Alisson had a decent game. He could do little about any of the goals and even nearly managed to prevent the first after a brilliant save to deny Willian. Sadly, there was nothing that he could do about the rebound from Giroud.
In defence, the usual quartet of Trent, Gomez, van Dijk and Robertson started. Trent and Robertson both had excellent games going forward, with the former scoring a sensational free kick while also putting the ball on a plate for Firmino to nod home his first Anfield league goal of the season. Our Scottish left-back also directly contributed to a goal, delivering a low cross onto the boot of Oxlade-Chamberlain to score our 5th of the night. As for the centre-backs, though, it wasn’t so pretty. Joe Gomez had a particularly difficult game at the back, at fault for arguably all three Chelsea goals. Van Dijk was not anywhere near as culpable as the Englishman but he also didn’t perform at his usual level.
In midfield, Fabinho, Naby Keita and Gini Wijnaldum were selected. Naby opened the scoring with a superb strike that cannoned in off of the underside of the bar. The goal summed up his performances since the league returned, he’s been excellent in every game and this one was no different. Gini Wijnaldum also got himself on the scoresheet when he made it 3-0 after a bit of pinball from an Andy Robertson corner. It’s fantastic to see our midfielders scoring goals so let’s hope it continues.
There were no surprises in attack as Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Mo Salah lined up in the forward positions. Salah was seeking his 20th league goal of the season and had two or three good chances to get it, but unfortunately left his shooting boots in the dressing room. It was great to see Bobby finally end his barren spell at Anfield in the Premier League on the final home game of the season with a bullet header following an inch-perfect early cross from Trent Alexander-Arnold.
As for Man of the Match, I’m going to give it to Naby Keita. I almost went with Trent due to him getting a goal and an assist but Naby’s overall performance stood out for me. I feel like I could have given the Guinean the award in every game since the restart as he has been so consistently impressive.
