Mykhailo Mudryk cameo livens up Chelsea’s goalless draw at Liverpool

The 1,000th game of Jürgen Klopp’s managerial career will not be remembered with fondness, if indeed it is remembered at all. Liverpool and Chelsea played out a flat goalless draw at Anfield that demonstrated why both are languishing in mid-table and struggling to realise their Champions League ambitions.

Kai Havertz had an early goal ruled out by VAR but otherwise there were few incidents and precious little quality on display from either the hosts or Graham Potter’s visitors. The usual stakes in the fixture were lowered with Liverpool and Chelsea 10 points off Champions League qualification in ninth and 10th place respectively. The league positions flattered both teams on the basis of a truly dreadful first half in particular, when four minutes of stoppage time in freezing temperatures passed for a cruel joke. Chelsea performed with more control and composure, but that was only in comparison to a careless and aimless Liverpool display.

Havertz had the ball in the Liverpool net after only three minutes and perhaps the complexion of the first half would have altered had VAR not disallowed the strike for offside. But probably not. The hosts struggled with crosses into their area from the outset. The new Chelsea signing Benoît Badiashile was left unmarked at the first corner of the game from Conor Gallagher, and his touch dropped for Thiago Silva to strike the base of a post from close range. Havertz converted the rebound and Liverpool had conceded first yet again. They were reprieved when, with the Chelsea celebrations over and the teams ready to restart, VAR found the goalscorer in an offside position.

Klopp rightly rewarded Stefan Bajcetic and Harvey Elliott with starting roles after their contributions to the midweek FA Cup win at Wolves. The Liverpool manager also kept faith with the same midfield trio that brought more intensity and energy to the team after the abject defeat at Brighton at the expense of Fabinho and Jordan Henderson, while James Milner was preferred at right-back to Trent Alexander-Arnold. The end product was perfectly encapsulated by Klopp’s face when the half-time whistled sounded, a picture of undisguised fury at what he had just endured.

Chelsea’s Kai Havertz thought he had given his side the lead, only to see his goal chalked off by VAR. Photograph: Chelsea FC/Getty Images

Liverpool struggled to construct a meaningful attack until the second half. They gave away possession cheaply and frequently, and Kepa Arrizabalaga was only called into action when Thiago Alcântara’s shot deflected into his arms after 39 minutes. Cody Gakpo swept over a decent early chance from Mohamed Salah’s cutback and snatched at another effort after dispossessing Lewis Hall just outside the area. Otherwise Anfield, and their manager, simmered with frustration.

Chelsea edged an awful first half with Silva, immaculate as always, seeking to release Havertz behind the Liverpool defence at the earliest opportunity. The ploy worked perfectly when the Germany international escaped behind Andy Robertson but, having squared towards the unmarked Mason Mount, the chance came to nothing when Mount slipped over. It was that kind of game. Badiashile did connect inside the Liverpool box from a Hakim Ziyech free-kick but his close-range header was too close to Alisson and the goalkeeper saved.

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There was greater purpose to Liverpool after the break, and presumably after a few home truths from Klopp, and the spectacle was marginally improved by the introductions of Chelsea’s latest big-money recruit, Mykhailo Mudryk, plus Darwin Núñez. The Ukraine international made an immediate impression, showing good feet to weave away from two Liverpool defenders in a tight space before finding the side-netting. Milner, booked for hauling down the new €100m signing, was replaced by Alexander-Arnold after Mudryk had escaped behind him once too often.

Ziyech fired over at the end of a superb run across the Liverpool defence, Gakpo’s shot on the turn was held by Arrizabalaga and Alexander-Arnold skied a good chance from Nunez’s cross from the byline. But the game got the scoreline it deserved.