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Liverpool 2, Chelsea 1: 5 Lessons Learned

By Rucker Haringey

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 16: Sadio Mane of Liverpool and Eden Hazard of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on September 16, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 16: Sadio Mane of Liverpool and Eden Hazard of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on September 16, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 16: Joel Matip of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on September 16, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 16: Joel Matip of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on September 16, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images) /

1. Liverpool may have found a centre back pairing

One of Liverpool’s most pressing concerns entering the year was whether or not Dejan Lovren and Joel Matip could form a solid central defensive pairing. The two showed a great deal of promise together at Chelsea.

I’m not just talking about Lovren’s opening goal either. That was just icing on the cake. The real progress was how the pair handled a dangerous Chelsea attack. There was no shame in giving up one goal to Diego Costa.

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In particular, Matip showed real poise in the match. Playing against an antagonist like Costa can wind up any opponent. The German centre back didn’t seem fazed at all by Costa’s antics.

Lovren has struggled for Liverpool since his move from Southampton, but really played well against Chelsea. Kloppites around the globe will hope that this is just a sign of things to come for the talented, but inconsistent defender.

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