'A show of resilience and mental strength' - McNultypublished at 17:21
17:21
Liverpool's reshaped style under new head coach Arne Slot may be more middle of the road than the "heavy metal" of predecessor Jurgen Klopp, but it has taken them on a direct route to the top of the Premier League.
Slot's tempo is more measured than the full-tilt thrills that were Klopp's trademark, but the 2-1 win over Chelsea in an engrossing Anfield encounter continued the Dutchman's near flawless start since taking charge of the Reds.
Liverpool's outstanding opening in the new era has been framed by the standard of opposition they have faced, meaning optimism has been cloaked with caution, with this meeting with Enzo Maresca's improving Chelsea regarded as Slot's biggest test, even though he has already enjoyed a 3-0 win at Manchester United.
It was an examination Liverpool had to dig deep to pass, in what was a show of resilience and mental strength - as opposed to the glorious attacking chaos that brought so much success under Klopp.
And it was no less enjoyable for all that as far as the home fans were concerned. They celebrated raucously at the final whistle, the magnificent Curtis Jones deservedly the match-winner after Nicolas Jackson had equalised Mohamed Salah's first-half penalty.
'Liverpool's mentality is impressive' published at 17:20
17:20
Image source, Getty Images
Danny Murphy believes that Liverpool's mentality is key, and is a reason his former side have the best defence in the league.
Speaking on BBC's Match of the Day 2, Murphy said: "They've got a really good shape, they've played the same way since the beginning of the season.
"What is most impressive is the mentality to defend for each other when mistakes happen.
"They're not as hell to leather in terms of pressing all the time. They keep their counsel.
"If you've got a mentality where you want to fill in for each other and help each other, and you've got a good shape - it gives you a good chance at winning games - that is why they have the best defence in the Premier League."
Former Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez agreed, and said how impressive it is to hear experienced players like Andy Robertson show his willingness to prove himself to Arne Slot.
"Especially at his level he [wants] to prove again, normally you'd say 'listen I was doing this for years' but still he has to prove that - that is really good," said Bentiez.
"It shows the competitive mentality and that the new manager wants to win something.
"You can see that they're going in the right direction, when you have Salah in the 75th minute coming back to regain the ball to help the defence - you have all the team together.
"I think they have a plan and the right mentality and confidence. They are doing really well."
'It will be very difficult for Slot to leave Jones out'published at 14:53
14:53
Image source, Getty Images
BBC Sport chief football writer Phil McNulty has been answering your questions on all things Premier League.
Tom asked: Phil - given Curtis Jones' top-quality midfield performance for Liverpool yesterday, it would be very harsh to drop him for the big games right now.
Would the best solution be to play him alongside Gravenberch and move Mac Allister further forward? The Argentine has been under-utilised in that position and, for me, is just ahead of Szoboszlai in the pecking order at the moment. A nice problem to have, however!
Phil answered: Hi, Tom. Curtis Jones was the best player on the pitch yesterday, so you can do no more than that. As you say, a very nice problem for Arne Slot to solve and you do mention a very good potential solution there.
What is not in doubt is that if Curtis Jones keeps playing like he did against Chelsea it will be very difficult for Slot to leave him out.
'Van Dijk news certainly welcome for Liverpool and their supporters'published at 13:53
13:53
Image source, Getty Images
BBC Sport chief football writer Phil McNulty has been answering your questions on all things Premier League.
Ollie asked: What is the latest on Liverpool’s contract situation with 'the big three'?
Phil answered: Hello, Ollie. We are safe to assume you mean Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Well, the good news is that Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has just revealed he has opened talks on a new contract. We must assume the same will be applying to Salah and Alexander-Arnold, if not actually ongoing now then imminently.
It has been easy to understand Liverpool fans’ concerns on this issue. They cannot afford to lose any of these players and as we know January is pre-contract territory for foreign clubs.
Liverpool have been keeping it very quiet but all logic suggests they must want to keep this trio as a matter of urgency.
The Van Dijk news is certainly welcome for Liverpool and their supporters.
Bill: The togetherness we have come to love was just not there. I hate to admit this, but Everton deserved to win. We all know we can do better. Bad defending and little in the way of creative knowhow. Better next time I hope.
Shaun: Our poorest home performance so far. The passing was far too slow, we lacked energy and looked really lacklustre. It absolutely shows that a number of our players are struggling to make the step up to the Premier League. We improved when the subs came on and Omari Hutchinson has to start on the right.
Damo: I was embarrassed by the abject performance. Kieran McKenna has a lot to learn, especially about his players the system and their abilities. Too slow at the back and no presence up front. I don’t mind losing, but to do it so pathetically was really poor and sapped all the confidence from the fans. We have played so much better.
Everton fans
Mike: It was a really good performance. I thought the midfield were outstanding and dominated Ipswich. We need to get to a point where we convert more of our goal chances but overall a comfortable win.
Kevin: Great performance from Everton. Sean Dyche gets the absolute best from the players he has at the football club. No other manager could achieve more in the circumstances. I don’t understand talk about replacing him
Anton: Well that was a pleasing performance to secure us an important victory. No drama, no worries, no stress - I'd honestly forgotten what a Saturday afternoon like that feels like. It's difficult to say who was our worst performer - although maybe Dominic Calvert-Lewin gets that for all his misses. Get Keano upfront!
Liverpool 2-1 Chelsea - the fans' verdictpublished at 12:28
12:28
Image source, Getty Images
We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Liverpool and Chelsea.
Here are some of your comments:
Liverpool fans
Matt: Thought generally Liverpool controlled the game and that Chelsea were quite fortunate to score. Curtis Jones was outstanding both going forwards and backwards and is making a case for inclusion in the starting XI on a long-term basis. However, the ref had an absolute shocker. Lost the plot.
Graham: A game between two extremely good teams that would usually end up as a draw but Liverpool just managed a very talented Chelsea team. In the seven minutes added time, under Jurgen Klopp we might well have conceded late because we would have gone all out for the third and left ourselves open at the back.
Robby: That was tough. Chelsea played their part in an end-to-end game. I will tell you what though, this Liverpool team won’t lose many games this season. Arne Slot has a squad capable of winning this league.
Chelsea fans
Phil: Once again Chelsea were the better side but failed to create many clear cut chances which you cannot afford to do against Liverpool even when they are not at their best. Oh, for a Diego Costa or a Didier Drogba.
David: A good performance without really hurting Liverpool enough. I’m liking the confidence to play out from the back, dominate the midfield and get wide players on the ball. But not enough big chances created today, but you have to credit Liverpool for suppressing them.
Simon: Same old Chelsea. Poor performance, lack of quality and unless Cole Palmer turns up then there is nothing else. Some poor management as well. Mid-table this season again - it’s where we are.
'The wins may be narrow, but they are still wins'published at 11:32
11:32
Phil McNulty Chief football writer
Image source, Getty Images
A Liverpool-related question was put to BBC chief football writer Phil McNulty in Monday's Q&A.
Rich asked: Morning Phil, I’m noticing more often, the Liverpool game yesterday an example, that sides are going against a strong press and tending to sit and wait a lot more. Is this a worry for managers that like to play out from the back, draw sides in and counter-attack, like Manchester City. We’ve seen in a few games recently that they struggle when having to break teams down that set up shop in this way. Do these teams need a plan B?
Phil answered: Hi, Rich. I think Liverpool are going to be interesting viewing this season because they are adopting a more measured, composed approach themselves, rather than the thrilling full-tilt approach under Jurgen Klopp.
The wins may be narrow, but they are still wins, and yesterday was a big test against a Chelsea side I think will be challenging for the top four.
Liverpool have the players to adopt a “plan B” without a doubt and I’m sure Arne Slot can be adaptable – and with players of the calibre of Mohamed Salah there is every chance “plan A” will work eventually.
Liverpool have such attacking quality that sitting back against them is a dangerous game as they have players, such as Salah, capable of producing that one moment of class to win a game.
'Jones was absolutely top drawer'published at 11:00
11:00
Image source, Getty Images
Former Liverpool goalkeeper David James, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast on the impact of man of the match Curtis Jones in Sunday's win over Chelsea: "I thought Curtis Jones was sensational. Not just in his creating of penalties, scoring of goals but his defensive responsibilities as well, I mean, magnificent. He was he was absolutely top drawer.
"Jones was superb. Mo Salah at times was fantastic. I think it was a very controlled, expertly measured performance by Liverpool."
Salah's record start - did you know?published at 08:47
08:47
Image source, Getty Images
Mohamed Salah has five goals and five assists in the Premier League this season – with just eight games played. This is the earliest into a season a Liverpool player has both scored five or more goals and assisted five or more in the competition.
Jones' big weekpublished at 08:18
08:18
Curtis Jones is the toast of the town after scoring, winning a penalty and offering a rounded display in Liverpool's win over Chelsea.
The Telegraph feature him on their back page, while the Mail point to his display and the fact he welcomed his first child - Giselle Delilah Jones - into the world last week.
In the aftermath of the fixture, some Liverpool fans took to social media to state the display may have been Jones' best ever for the club.
Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast, goalkeeper Asmir Begovic said: "In my opinion, Curtis Jones is someone that has developed really well into a key player for Liverpool and what is better for that whole squad is that they have options now.
"Look what they had coming off the bench - Luis Diaz, [Alexis] Mac Allister, [Darwin] Nunez, Joe Gomez - that's the sign of a pretty strong squad and the fact that Curtis Jones is currently playing over those sort of players shows the growth and development in him and shows his quality.
"The fact he was able to contribute with a goal, play an important part in this team in such a big win is a massive step for him.
"He's doing really well, another homegrown player - Liverpool have produced quite a few of them and they just keep coming through so as a club they deserve a lot of credit and most of all him [Jones] because he has put in the work and has developed into a really key player for a very good Liverpool side."
Media caption,
Benitez analyses 'fantastic' Jones performance
Reds pass Chelsea test 'with flying colours'published at 08:08
08:08
Image source, Getty Images
Former Premier League midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker says Liverpool's win against Chelsea is "a statement" result and shows they are capable of competing for the title this season.
"It is very encouraging for Arne Slot," said Reo-Coker on the BBC Radio 5 Live Football Daily podcast. "It was a great game of football and both teams were going at it so it was end to end.
"I think it was a bigger test for Liverpool to see how far they have come and they passed with flying colours. They looked like a solid team.
"Full credit to Arne Slot for making that decision to take Trent Alexander-Arnold off late in the game because that was a good tactical change.
"Liverpool have made a statement with this win. They have got a difficult period of games coming up but in terms of the Premier League that was a win to say we are in the challenge for this Premier League title. "
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, Getty Images
