Mohamed Salah returned to haunt former club Chelsea but Liverpool were denied a hugely significant victory as Willian conjured an equaliser out of nothing at Anfield.
Here, we examined three things learned.
MIDFIELD LOSES CONTROL
It is in vogue to vilify Jordan Henderson but the skipper is hardly helping himself.
Firstly, he attempted Liverpool’s second most passes (69) but achieved the eighth best passing success rate (85%) and for a player in the pivot that’s simply not good enough.
When you consider his passes were largely sideways or backwards that deepens the level of criticism.
On the ball he was negligible and postionally he looked really ragged, too. Chelsea set-up with a midfield trio of their own and the runners from deep drowned out Liverpool’s middle men.
Henderson couldn’t get a grip of Eden Hazard – who achieved a Premier League high this season of nine dribbles – and there were gaps as wide as the Mersey Tunnel for Danny Drinkwater to roam into.
Granted, blame also lies with James Milner who was simply shocking.
Jurgen Klopp surprised everyone by starting the 31-year-old and he appeared to lack sharpness with the tempo of the game causing him serious unease.
His touch was poor, his passing off target and he again was rattled by the rampaging Hazard.
Fortunately for Klopp he has ample options to fill his midfield three and it would be wise to see Gini Wijnaldum or Emre Can feature in future with Adam Lallana’s return to fitness also a major boost.
Hazard skips away from Milner
GOMEZ WINS BATTLE OF YOUNG DEFENDERS
Joe Gomez is 20 years old. That reminder is necessary because he played with the maturity of a defender 10 years his senior.
It’s true that defenders take much longer to develop than any other position with experience of the bad and the good a crucial part of progression.
But Gomez is learning while on the job and whether it was right-back or centre-half, as was the case against Chelsea, he was utterly imperious.
The England international made two big interceptions and one superb tackle to quell the threat of Marcos Alonso late on.
It was telling that Chelsea’s threat was carried down Liverpool’s left with no avenue through on the opposite flank thanks to the composed and assured Gomez.
When the hosts switched to three at the back he was a monster in the air and he completely nullified the threat of a quiet Alvaro Morata.
The case for Gomez to partner Joel Matip is only getting stronger.
Gomez was the standout player at the back for Liverpool
SALAH IS THE BEST PLAYER IN ENGLAND (ON CURRENT FORM)
It’s not just that he has scored 15 goals and that he his the first to 10 in the Premier League which form the reasoning for Mohamed Salah deserving to be recognised as the best player in England right now.
It’s a massive part of the explanation, of course, but the Egyptian gives Liverpool more than goals – he brings the fear and X-factor.
Hazard was ripping the Reds to shreds and the only counter to him was Salah going the other way.
He was electric, pushing the pace and penning Chelsea back before opening the scoring with silky finish. With his goals, ability on the ball and intelligent movement there is very little defenders can do to stop him.
The 25-year-old was Liverpool’s best player, he has been for the entire season, and he’s now adding a consistent streak which places him at least alongside the genius of Kevin De Bruyne as the Premier League’s standout star.
A class player and even classier individual with his celebration low key as a mark of respect to the tragic attacks which took place in his homeland earlier this weekend.
Salah slots home his 15th goal of the season
