Four Findings: Liverpool 5-3 Chelsea
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Fireworks outside Anfield foretold the occasion and the result. Liverpool outgunned Chelsea to win 5-3 to finish an undefeated home campaign.
While the visitors began brightly, Liverpool remained patient and grew into the match. Once Naby Keita pounced on a loose ball in the 23rd minute and unleashed a cracking goal from just outside the box, Liverpool began exerting control.
Fifteen minutes later, Trent Alexander-Arnold wrapped his foot around a free-kick, freezing Chelsea keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga who could only watch the ball find the net. Frank Lampard fumed over the foul that earned the set-piece but the full-back finished it with expertise.
It only took minutes before Liverpool looked in complete control. From a corner kick, Gini Wijnaldum latched onto a ball bouncing and blasted it into the roof of the net.
Olivier Giroud pulled one back for the visitors in added time before the break to give their side a breath of life.
After the interval, Roberto Firmino finally scored at Anfield this season, heading home an exquisite Trent Alexander-Arnold cross.
After a slew of substitutes from Frank Lampard, Christian Pulisic did his best to make the game a contest, setting up a goal and scoring one of his own. Still, the Reds remained undeterred in their preparations for the party as Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain scored to snuff any doubts about the eventual match-winner.
Fireworks and fanfare soon filled the stadium even though fans could not be there and captain Jordan Henderson lifted the newly adorned Premier League trophy.
Here are four findings from the match.
Keita’s Claim
Naby Keita’s journey to the Anfield spotlight has been an odd one. The delayed arrival and fight for fitness has served to divide opinions about the midfielder. What can never be in doubt is the talent that he possesses.
Since the restart, the Guinean midfielder has been staking a claim that he may now be prepared to live up to the fanfare and enthusiasm that greeted his signing. He has begun fashioning the flashes into more sustained performances.
One of Keita’s greatest qualities is deception. It was on full display in moments against Chelsea. First, he spun César Azpilicueta into the seats. Then, he surged forward on a loose ball and uncorked an untouchable finish. His has strengthened his claim for a starting spot.
Talisman Trent
Dismiss any and all complaints about the call that earned the free kick for Trent Alexander-Arnold’s goal. After failing to call multiple fouls in the box against Mo Salah, a questionable call from 26 yards doesn’t offer nearly the prospects of a penalty.
Still, someone had to step up and whip one over the wall and into the back of the net. Alexander-Arnold did just that. The Scouse fullback has not only become the best right-back in the world, but he may be the best free-kick taker in the Premier League as well.
There is far too much world-class talent in the side to suggest that there is a single talisman, but the local lad makes a compelling case that he is capable of delivering majestic inspiration for his hometown club. At 21-years-old, his talent is staggering.
Finally Firmino
It is hard to believe that almost an entire season of home games have passed since Roberto Firmino last scored a goal at Anfield. He could not have picked a better evening to finally fire in a header and get his first goal of the season at home.
In a season that has to be considered slightly disappointing in terms of output for the Brazilian centre forward, Firmino has been slightly snake-bitten when playing on Merseyside. So many near misses seemed to pile up.
He had a lively first half, dropping a little deeper to help the Reds get a stronger foothold of the match. Then in the second half, Frimino drove down the centre of the pitch to get onto the end of a glorious Alexander-Arnold cross. In the final home match of the season, he finished with flair.
Fitting Finish
Nobody could ever have imagined when the Premier League first began that the most successful football club in England would go 30 years without lifting another title. There were, of course, a couple of close calls along the way but the Reds regained the title again.
As promised, Jurgen Klopp delivered the league title in his fourth full season. Along the way, the Reds made five finals appearances and have now won all of the biggest trophies in club football. Yet, this is the one that Liverpudlians longed for most. Mission accomplished.
In another fitting twist of fate, they secured 96 points on the day that they lifted the long-awaited trophy, echoing another remembrance of the 96 who will never be forgotten. The Reds recorded their best ever points total but on this night the flame burned a little too. Justice for the 96.
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