Chelsea, on Sunday, began the Mauricio Pochettino era with a 1-1 draw against Liverpool in a hard-fought encounter at Stamford Bridge on the opening weekend of the Premier League.
Liverpool were dealt an early blow before arriving at Stamford Bridge after Moises Caicedo appeared to turn them down in favour of Chelsea despite agreeing a British record £111 million transfer with Brighton for the midfielder on Friday.
But it was Liverpool that struck first as Luis Diaz ghosted in at the back post to convert Mohamed Salah’s fine through ball after a mix-up in the Chelsea defence to slot home.
Chelsea equalised through debutant defender Axel Disasi – one of four for the new-look Blues – from close-range after a corner.
Salah and Ben Chilwell both had goals ruled out by the VAR for tight offsides in an action-packed first half in which the Liverpool forward struck the bar.
Had Chelsea been more clinical though Pochettino could have been taking home all three points in his first outing as Blues boss.
Pochettino handed out debuts to Disasi, Robert Sanchez, Levi Colwill, and Nicolas Jackson in his first game in charge of the club.
Kepa Arrizabalaga was not included in the matchday squad as he nears a loan move to Real Madrid.
Liverpool’s midfield duo Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister also made their first competitive appearances for the club.
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