Chelsea 1 - Liverpool 2: Henderson stunner helps Reds end Conte's unbeaten Blues start

Klopp’s team swept Chelsea aside with a whirlwind of attacking football in a blistering first half, as Dejan Lovren and Jordan Henderson scored and though Diego Costa pulled a goal back, Liverpool left no doubt of their pedigree.

David Luiz’ second debut for Chelsea ended in misery for the Brazilian, though he was not the only culprit on a night when Antonio Conte’s team, unbeaten until last night, and their flaws were brutally exposed.

Sky pundit Gary Neville, who labelled Luiz a “Playstation” player in his first spell, last night was equally scornful of the Brazilian, saying: “Conte and David Luiz is a bizarre pairing – it’s like me and Miss World.” It was harsh – but not as harsh as the lesson Klopp gave his Italian rival.

Klopp called Conte the “Pep Guardiola of Juventus” in the build-up to last night’s game. But the Italian would have been well aware that despite all the compliments, this was his side’s first major test since taking over in the summer. They fluffed it spectacularly.

Chelsea went into the game unbeaten but all the talk beforehand was that without skipper John Terry, David Luiz would be making his debut in his second spell at the club.

Coincidentally, the Brazilian’s debut in his first spell was also against Liverpool, as a substitute in a 1-0 home defeat in February 2011. This night turned out to be just as unhappy for the Brazilian.

In fact, Liverpool had only lost once in their last six visit to Stamford Bridge. And Klopp’s men certainly started like SW6 was a home from home.

In the first minute, former Chelsea forward Daniel Sturridge fired in a shot that was saved at the second attempt by Thibaut Courtois.

Diego Costa celebrates after pulling one back for Chelsea

 

 

But Liverpool were moving with fluidity and purpose, and when Philippe Coutinho – who scored twice in that win last season – crossed, his ball astonishingly found three men unmarked at the far post, Sturridge, Sadio Mane and Dejan Lovren, with Luiz and others nowhere to be seen.

Lovren duly smashed it into the corner of the net for a simple goal.

It was awful defending and Sturridge should have made it two when, in more acres of space, he drilled the ball an inch past the far post. Conte’s team were all over the place. Luiz saw his glancing header saved by Simon Mignolet as Chelsea tried to hit back, but then Liverpool struck again.

Gary Cahill thudded a clearance straight to Jordan Henderson and the England midfielder cracked a quite magnificent dipping drive beyond Courtois and into the top corner. It was no more than Klopp’s men deserved.

Every time Liverpool came forward, a panicking Chelsea looked vulnerable. And the indefatigable N’Golo Kante apart, no player seemed able to put his foot on the ball and pass it accurately.

Liverpool had far too much pace for Chelsea’s lumbering defence, and it was obvious why Conte wanted reinforcements in that area in the summer. 

The problem was that the first choice men he wanted, like Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly, they were unable to get. The problems of last season, which saw Mourinho depart and the team finish in 10th place, have clearly not yet been solved by the Italian.

Mane was a blur of movement for Liverpool, and Coutinho simply ran the match with his ability to spot a pass. But then hope.

Eden Hazard found Nemanja Matic, up until then utterly anonymous, and the Serb went on a weaving run into the area and along the byeline to pull the ball back, and Diego Costa stabbed the ball home for his fifth goal of the season.

It was virtually Costa’s first effort of the game, and suddenly Liverpool, for the first time, looked rocky. Chelsea could then have been level, when Matic nodded the ball down, and Costa swivelled only to see Mignolet push away his shot.

Chelsea keeper Thibaut Courtois helplessly diving to try and Henderson's stunner for Liverpool

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp

"It was satisfying of course. From the first second we had unbelievably good movement.  We were quick in mind. We did really well. We deserved the lead at half-time.

"We have to learn how to manage the game plan. So often this season Chelsea scored in the last few seconds with a direct style. But I can’t remember too many chances from them. We had a few moments where we weren’t so good but that’s normal against a good team.

"We played football like hell. It was really nice to watch. In the second half it was a bit more difficult. After their goal, we managed it well."

On Jordan Henderson's goal: "It was nice, really nice. He’s such a hard worker, it was well deserved. He’s such a nice lad. There’s a lot of pressure on his shoulders."

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Courtois 6; Ivanovic 5, Cahill 6, Luiz 6, Azpilicueta 6; Kante 6, Matic (Fabregas 84) 6; Willian 6, Oscar 6, Hazard 6; Costa 6. Booked: Willian. Goal: Costa (61).

Liverpool (4-3-3): Mignolet 7; Clyne 7, Lovren 7, Matip 7, Milner 7; Lallana 8, Wijnadum 7 (Stewart 90), Henderson 7; Mane 7, Sturridge 7 (Origi 57, 6), Coutinho 8 (Lucas 82). Goals: Lovren 17, Henderson 36.

Referee: M Atkinson (West Yorkshire).