Liverpool edge out Chelsea in a tense match at Anfield. Liverpool secured a victory over Chelsea thanks to an early goal from Gravenberch. The game was closely contested, but Chelsea failed to capitalize on their chances. Final score — 1:0 at Anfield.
One of the tensest matches of the round ended in Liverpool: Liverpool narrowly defeated Chelsea 1-0 at home. In the 6th minute, Ryan Gravenberch sent the ball into the opponent’s net after a precise pass from Rio Ngumoha, taking advantage of a set-piece. This early goal was the only one of the match, determining the final outcome.
Throughout the game, both teams showed nearly equal competition for the initiative. By the end of the match, Liverpool held possession for 50.5% of the time, while Chelsea had 49.5%. Despite the home team's slight advantage, neither side managed to create many dangerous opportunities: Liverpool had only two shots, with just one on target, while Chelsea managed only one attempt that missed the goal.
Both coaches, Arne Slot for Liverpool and Calum McFarlane for Chelsea, opted for a similar 4-2-3-1 tactical setup. For the hosts, Gravenberch, Ngumoha, and Szoboszlai were standout players, while João Pedro and Fernández were prominent for the visitors. The refereeing team was led by Craig Pawson, with Tony Harrington in charge of the video assistant system.
The victory allowed Liverpool to retain fourth place in the standings with 61 points, while Chelsea remained ninth with 48 points. The match took place at Anfield on May 9, 2026, and was an important step for Liverpool in their pursuit of a Champions League spot. In the context of the race for the top four, it is worth recalling that Manchester United had earlier consolidated their position after defeating Liverpool — details of that encounter can be found in the article on the key match at Old Trafford.
