Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool: Wasteful Blues held at home as Bruno Saltor’s first game in charge ends in frustration

They may have replaced Graham Potter, but Chelsea’s problems in front of goal persisted as they had two goals disallowed and were held to a 0-0 draw by Liverpool at Stamford Bridge.

In their first game under the interim management of Bruno Saltor, the Blues had the bulk of the chances in West London, but were persistently let down by some poor finishing.

Perhaps it should have come as no surprise that the game ended goalless, given the previous three meetings between these two sides have also finished 0-0.

Even so, Chelsea had more than enough chances to take the three points, with Mateo Kovacic seeing one such opening cleared off the line by Ibrahima Konate early on, while Reece James’ thumping drive was ruled out for offside.

At the other end, Joe Gomez and Fabinho both came close in the dying moments of the opening period, only to be denied by Kepa and Wesley Fofana respectively, before Kovacic should have put Chelsea ahead immediately after the restart, only to blaze haplessly over from inside the area.

The home crowd were then frustrated by seeing another goal ruled out, this time for handball against Kai Havertz, who should have scored with his initial effort that bounced back off Alisson but was bundled in off his arm.

And that proved to be the final real opening at either end as Liverpool put in a particularly flat display, but at least avoided what could have been a fourth straight defeat for the first time in two years.

TALKING POINT – Age old problems persist for Chelsea

Chelsea came into this match having scored just 12 home league goals all season, the joint lowest total in the top flight, and it was easy to see why.

Despite their attacking riches on show, the Blues lacked the finesse required to break down a Liverpool defence who have been far from watertight this season, with their final ball often sloppy and wayward.

Havertz in particular will be disappointed with his finishing, as he wasted numerous chances by failing to even hit the target, while his initial finish for the disallowed goal lacked any kind of conviction.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH – WESLEY FOFANA (Chelsea)

Back in the starting line-up after missing the defeat to Aston Villa at the weekend, the defender barely put a foot wrong.

Granted, he was not tested too greatly by a Liverpool attack that were devoid of confidence, but it was his vital header that prevented Fabinho from handing Liverpool the lead before the break.

Other than that, he marshalled the Chelsea backline superbly, as well as winning numerous tackles and making some other key interceptions.

PLAYER RATINGS

Chelsea: Kepa 6; Fofana 8*, Koulibaly 7, Cucurella 6; James 6, Fernandez 7, Kante 6, Chilwell 6; Havertz 5, Felix 7, Kovacic 5. Subs: Gallagher n/a, Mudryk n/a, Sterling n/a.. subs: Mendy, Badiashile, Loftus-Cheek, Mount, Pulisic, Madueke

Liverpool: Alisson 7; Gomez 7, Konate 7, Matip 7, Tsimikas 5; Jones 6, Fabinho 6, Henderson 6; Jota 5, Firmino 7, Nunez 5. Subs: Robertson 6, Salah 6, Milner n/a, Gakpo n/a.. subs: Kelleher, Phillips, Alexander-Arnold, Carvalho, Arthur

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

6’ KONATE BLOCKS. What a big tackle that could be. Mateo Kovacic brilliantly rounds Alisson in the area, and although he’s forced a bit wide, he still gets a shot goalwards, which Konate superbly gets back to clear off the line

25’ GOAL RULED OUT! James thinks he’s given Chelsea the lead as he thunders an effort into the back of the net with a stunning finish, but the goal is ruled out for offside against Fernandez earlier in the move.

45+3’ GOMEZ SHOT SAVED. Terrific effort from distance from Gomez, who’s never scored for Liverpool, but sees a 20-yard shot tipped around the post by Kepa.

51’ GOAL RULED OUT! Chelsea have the ball in the back of the net again, but Havertz bundled home with his arm, so VAR disallow it.

KEY STATS