Neither team started the game in a particularly hurry, but by the end the general pattern of the game emerged, with Chelsea controlling the majority of possession (55:45) but unable to create clear-cut chances despite breaking into the penalty area consistently.

The other side of this pattern was that Liverpool (unlike Chelsea) defended calmly and countered with a lot of efficiency, danger and menace. And from one of those goals they actually won a penalty, which Mo Salah missed with unstoppable force. Liverpool also had another goal and another penalty (properly both) in that first half, which was overturned by the video referee as they kept tearing our porous line-up to shreds on the counter-attack.

Chelsea did have a penalty of their own (not given) and came pretty close with shots from Jackson and Palmer, but ended the half with no shots on target and without our overall good work on the ball to show for it.

The second half started much better as Nicolas Jackson received a wonderful through ball from Moisés Caicedo and finished beautifully while staying just onside (VAR turned over the linesman's flag).

But our joy was short-lived as Curtis Jones restored Liverpool's lead almost immediately, set up by a superb ball from that man, Mo Salah (Jones, the fourth runner, was onside; three others were out).

At this point both teams began to make changes, including a triple substitution of Enzo Maresca, but the flow of the game suffered as a result. But Chelsea's inability to pose a real threat, either through possession or on the counterattack, continued to be a problem. Liverpool were comfortable enough and could have added a few more if they really wanted to… although they almost paid for it when Renato Veiga headed over in stoppage time from a Palmer free-kick and a great ball from Pedro Neto just missed Nkunku's reach at the far post.

A game with good but meaningful margins.

Carefree.

• Two forced lineup changes due to suspensions: Tosin came on for Fofana and James made a surprise start for Cucurella (and Gusto moved to the left side). Lavia also came in for Enzo, who was sitting on the bench.
• First start for James in 320 days! He lasts about 50 minutes and is probably replaced by Veiga as a planned change
• Liverpool are back on top; Chelsea drop to sixth place. At least we scored points with them.
• Next up for Panathinaikos is the Conference League on Thursday
• KTBFFH

PLAYER RATINGS: