Liverpool’s German manager Jürgen Klopp (C) shakes hands with Chelsea’s Spanish defender César Azpilicueta after the Premier League match at Anfield on 22 July 2020. Liverpool won 5‑3. (Photo by Paul Ellis / Pool / AFP – restricted to editorial use; no unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club or league logos, or “live” services. Online in‑match use limited to 120 images, with an additional 40 in extra time. No video emulation. Social‑media in‑match use limited to the same numbers. No use in betting publications, games, or single‑club/league/player publications.)
Chelsea squandered numerous chances and were held to a 0‑0 draw in their first Premier League game since Graham Potter’s dismissal. Potter was sacked on Sunday after a disastrous spell that ended with a home defeat to Aston Villa. The Blues are now seeking a third permanent manager this season; Potter had been appointed in September following Thomas Tuchel’s shock exit. In the interim, Bruno Saltor, a member of Potter’s backroom staff, made his managerial debut. Saltor coaxed a lively performance, but, as often under Potter, the team lacked cutting edge. Chelsea remain 11th, leaving their future uncertain despite the substantial investment in new signings by owner Todd Boehly since taking over last year.
Liverpool’s form offered little solace, as a third consecutive league game without a win dimmed their faint hopes of a top‑four finish. Sitting eighth, they are seven points behind fourth‑placed Tottenham in the race for a Champions League spot. Both clubs, who finished in the top four last season and met in the FA Cup and League Cup finals, now find themselves mid‑table amid turbulent campaigns. After a 4‑1 defeat at Manchester City on Saturday, Klopp made six changes, dropping Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander‑Arnold.
The match began with Chelsea taking the stronger start. Mateo Kovačić’s shot was blocked on the line by Ibrahima Konaté. Reece James had a fierce finish ruled out for offside against Enzo Fernández, and Wesley Fofana’s headed chance went narrowly wide. As in other Tuesday games, there was a first‑half pause at the Bridge for Muslim players to break their Ramadan fast. After the restart, Kai Havertz missed a good chance from N’Golo Kanté’s pass. Leicester’s woes continued as Darwin Núñez and Joe Gómez forced solid saves from Kepa Arrizabalaga, giving Liverpool a brief threat before halftime. Kovačić blazed a glorious chance just after the interval, while Havertz’s effort was disallowed for handball after the ball rebounded off Alisson Becker’s arm.
Leicester’s first game since Brendan Rodgers’ departure ended in a 2‑1 loss to Aston Villa at the King Power Stadium. Caretaker bosses Mike Stowell and Adam Sadler have overseen seven winless league games, leaving the Foxes second‑bottom. Ollie Watkins put Villa ahead in the 24th minute; Harvey Barnes equalised after 35 minutes, but Kiernan Dewsbury‑Hall was sent off in the 70th minute for a second booking. Bertrand Traoré’s 87th‑minute curler, his first Villa goal since 2021, sealed Leicester’s misery.
Leeds climbed out of the relegation zone with a 2‑1 win over fellow strugglers Nottingham Forest at Elland Road. Orel Mangala scored his first goal in English football to give Forest the lead, but Jack Harrison equalised eight minutes later after Keylor Navas spilled Marc Roca’s shot. Luis Sinisterra put Leeds ahead in first‑half stoppage time, curling his shot into the far corner. Leeds now sit two points clear of the drop, while Forest remain outside the bottom three on goal difference.
Third‑bottom Bournemouth remain in deep trouble after a 2‑0 home defeat to Brighton. Brighton took the lead in the 28th minute through teenage forward Evan Ferguson’s audacious backheel, and Julio Enciso’s first goal for the club sealed the points in injury time. (AFP)
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