MY ACCOUNT
Bruno Saltor began his interim charge of Chelsea with a frustrating 0-0 draw as his side were unable to break through a much-changed Liverpool at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues dominated much of a scrappy affair with Mateo Kovacic coming closest in the first half when his strike was cleared off the line by Ibrahima Konate.
Kai Havertz had a goal chalked off by VAR for handball after Alisson saved his initial chipped shot which rebounded onto the German forward’s forearm and into the back of the net.
Reece James was also denied when he fired home a ferocious volley only to see his goal disallowed for a tight offside in the build-up.
Jurgen Klopp fielded a much-changed starting XI that excluded Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson, while Virgil van Dijk was ruled out altogether due to illness.
Fabinho had the biggest chance for Liverpool when Konstantinos Tsimikas’ corner fell to the Brazilian inside the box, but his volleyed effort was diverted to safety by the head of Wesley Fofana.
As a result, the spoils were shared at Stamford Bridge.
The Reds benefitted from a poor finishing display by the Blues — but manager Jurgen Klopp saw the result as a step in the right direction.
He said: “Reaction must always be [important]. I saw a lot of great challenges, people flying into tackles and that’s what we need.
“Midfield, the three of them didn’t play that often together. That’s what we have to build on it. If things don’t go your way you have to fight through this and make steps. Sometimes smaller ones, sometimes bigger ones and this was a smaller one.
“From a passion point of view I really liked the game. Yes it was not the best football but these boys are really good footballers and tonight they put in a proper shift.
“I thought really for the six changes especially, it was good tonight and that’s what I take. They wanted to win desperately, we did as well, but we have to take a point.”
Meanwhile, Saltor spoke with pride after his sides’ performance in what has been a busy week at Stamford Bridge.
He said: “I have asked the players to play with their hearts and I think we saw that on the pitch.
“We create chances and I think we deserved to win. Yes, offside, and a handball, we had one-vs-ones with their keeper.”
However, the Spaniard revealed little when asked about his future.
He said: “I expect going home now, rest and go day by day. What we are trying to do is go day by day, be professional and it’s a difficult situation but everyone is doing the best they can.
“The only thing that I can say is that I’m happy with the performance for them it’s credit to them. It’s a difficult season for them.
“To come back from what we have had in the last few days is incredible. They have to be proud of themselves.”
