Chelsea 1-1 Liverpool Ratings Explained: Superb Sturridge strike rescues point for Reds

Liverpool's 100% start to the season came to an end at Stamford Bridge on Saturday as the Reds played out an entertaining 1-1 draw with Chelsea.

CHELSEA - 6.69 

Kepa - 6.41 - Rarely tested in the first half, but made a stunning second half stop just before the hour mark to turn Sadio Mane’s low drive from 12 yards behind for a corner. Could do little to deny Daniel Sturridge’s superb second half equaliser. 

Cesar Azpiliicueta - 6.11 - Not a standout display from the Chelsea captain. Didn’t do a lot wrong, but did little right too. Par for course performance from the right-back. 

David Luiz - 8.00 - Created a goalscoring chance for Willian with a superb long ball midway through the first half that was well saved by Alisson. Denied Roberto Firmino an equaliser with a clearance off the line after the interval in a solid centre-back showing. Made more interceptions (5) than any other player.  

Antonio Rudiger - 7.10 - Made a stunning last-ditch challenge off the line to deny Mohamed Salah from equalising on the half hour mark after the Egyptian had round Kepa. Another impressive showing from the German, who continues to grow under Maurizio Sarri.  

Marcos Alonso - 6.75 - Was given license to bomb forward, but didn’t make the most of the opportunity. Failed to pick out a teammate with any of his three attempted crosses and didn’t make a key pass. 

N’Golo Kante - 6.20 -  Was all over the pitch, yet this wasn’t a standout showing from the Frenchman. 

Jorginho - 6.39 - An underwhelming display in possession from the metronomic midfielder. Gained a pass success rate of just 86.3% in the stalemate. 

Mateo Kovacic - 7.44 - Provided the assist for Eden Hazard’s goal and his incisive runs from midfield helped pegged Liverpool back. Pressed the Reds midfield well and was rewarded with a standing ovation with 10 minutes to play. 

Willian - 6.67 - Not a performance that suggests he warrants a regular starting spot once Pedro recovers. A poor first touch meant he missed a great chance in the first half to put Chelsea ahead.

Olivier Giroud - 6.64 - Two excellent pieces of skill inside the opening 10 minutes almost presented Eden Hazard with a goalscoring chance that forced Joe Gomez into a fine last-ditch challenge. Couple of neat flicks and dummies helped for a fluid Chelsea attack before his second half withdrawal. Once again proved why he deserves to be the Blues’ first choice frontman. 

Eden Hazard - 8.36 (Man of the Match) - The best player in the Premier League right now? Without a doubt. Took his goal midway through the first half excellently after being fed through by Mateo Kovacic. Worked hard off the ball, too, as he made three interceptions to help gain the man of the match award. 

Subs 

Alvaro Morata 5.89 - The Chelsea attack looked disjointed once he replaced Olivier Giroud. Headed a late Eden Hazard free-kick wide, taking the opportunity off David Luiz, who was better placed to attack the ball. Mistimed a header under no pressure to Roberto Firmino that saw Liverpool come perilously close to equalising through Xherdan Shaqiri. 

Victor Moses - 5.81 - Won a free-kick with a surging run down the right that saw Chelsea come close to doubling their advantage, but that was the main moment of note following his introduction. 

Ross Barkley - 5.89 - His introduction saw Chelsea lose control of the midfield battle. Won’t dislodge Mateo Kovacic in the regular XI anytime soon. 

LIVERPOOL - 6.66 

Alisson - 7.12 - Made an excellent save to deny Willian in the first half and did brilliantly to deny Chelsea and Eden Hazard a second goal midway through the second half from an incisive Blues breakaway. Could do little to deny the Belgian his first half goal, though. 

Trent Alexander-Arnold - 6.67 - Got forward well and was accurate with three of his six attempted crosses. However, was sloppy in possession, too, as he returned just a 75% pass success rate.   

Joe Gomez - 6.51 - Read the game well again, as he made three interceptions, and continues to grow into his role as one of Liverpool’s starting centre-backs. Made a crucial intervention to prevent Willian a clear run at goal in the second half.  

Virgil van Dijk - 7.42 - The difference he has made to this Liverpool defence is immense. The backline looks calmer with him at the back and he was imperious once more as he made two tackles, two interceptions and eight clearances.  

Andrew Robertson - 6.27 - Forced David Luiz into a last-ditch header after lofting a teasing ball to the back post aimed at Mohamed Salah. Failed to make the most of any attacking chance, save the Xherdan Shaqiri opportunity, though.  

Georgino Wijnaldum - 6.13 - A solid if unspectacular display from the Dutch midfielder. Spread the play well, competing all four attempted accurate long balls, but was penalised for two fouls. While this broke up Chelsea’s attacks, it still negatively impacted his rating. 

Jordan Henderson - 6.34 - Not a poor performance by any stretch, but his role in the Liverpool midfield remains up for grabs. Still made two tackles and one interception before his second half withdrawal.  

James Milner - 6.52 - Another effective all round display from Liverpool’s experienced middle man. Worked hard out of possession as he made three tackles, two clearances and one interception. On the ball, chipped in with a 89.7% pass success rate and created one goalscoring chance for the Merseyside giants. 

Mohamed Salah - 6.80 - Cut inside onto his favoured left foot twice in the opening 10 minutes, but one shot was fired tamely into the hands of Kepa and the other into row Z. Did well to round Kepa, only to see his effort turned off the line by Antonio Rudiger and after two initial poor efforts, seemed hesitant to try his luck from distance. Was withdrawn after 65 minutes minutes in what was a sub-par effort from last season’s golden boot winner. 

Roberto Firmino - 6.93 - Made four key passes, more than any other player, and would’ve had an assist if his teammates had brought their shooting boots to Stamford Bridge. Arguably Liverpool’s most effective attacker of their starting three forwards. 

Sadio Mane - 6.44 - Not a performance ton remember fondly. His standout moment came when he forced Kepa into a fine stop, but was nowhere near his best at Stamford Bridge. 

Subs 

Xherdan Shaqiri - 6.44 - Replaced Mohamed Salah after 65 minutes and missed a guilt-edged chance to draw Liverpool level, scuffing his effort from six yards. 

Naby Keita - 6.64 - Dragged an effort well wide in the latter stages of the game, but drove forward with purpose well as Liverpool pressed for a positive result.

Daniel Sturridge - 7.07 - Netted a late sensational equaliser against his former club, his third goal in his last three Liverpool appearances.