Use your head like Sadio and subscribe to the Liverpool FC newsletter Sign me up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Comeback kings?

It's a statistic that speaks for itself. Since the start of last season, Liverpool have conceded first in 14 Premier League games. And lost 11 of them.



It's not coincidence, it's evidence of an alarming lack of creativity, and a worrying lack of courage and belief when things go against them. Giving away the first goal in a game is never ideal, but too often it has been fatal for Liverpool. It needed to change.



This, then, was a king-sized step in the right direction.



Behind in four minutes, the chance was there for another surrender. Instead, the Reds recovered, regrouped, worked the game out, took control of it and, when the chances arrived, took them clinically.



This was the first time the Reds had scored three goals in an away league game since last December, when they beat Leicester. That was also the last time they came from behind to win in the league. The monkey is off their backs, now it's time to kick on.







Klopp goes from despair to delight







From first-half fume to second-half ecstasy, Jurgen Klopp's first visit to Stamford Bridge was certainly an eventful one.



The Liverpool manager spent most of the first 45 minutes tearing his hair out, angered by his team's ponderous possession play, their predictable attacking movement and their collective lack of conviction.



And then, on the stroke of half time, Philippe Coutinho changed the world.



Thereafter, Liverpool were a different side. If they didn't know Chelsea were there for the taking at the start, they certainly did by the interval. And in the second half, they went and took them. Klopp, watching on, cut an altogether more satisfied figure. And who could blame him?







Sakho and Skrtel keep Costa on mute







It's a hard job keeping Diego Costa quiet, but Liverpool managed it with ease here.



The Spanish international had his moments, but was shackled brilliantly by Martin Skrtel and Mamadou Sakho, whose understanding is growing by the week.



With Skrtel as the 'lead' centre back, contesting the majority of the aerial balls with Costa, Sakho did the rest superbly.



Positive signs, then, for Klopp. Liverpool's defending generally leaves a lot to be desired, but his two centre backs look like they are ready for the challenges which await.





Moreno needs to wise up defensively







He had a lot to say for himself this week, did Alberto Moreno. About defending, about dancing, and about how he suffered last season because he had a manager who didn't seem to trust him.



Well, he has one now, but unless he learns quickly about the basics of defending, that trust will be eroded pretty swiftly.



It took just four minutes for the Spaniard's weakness to be exposed here. Sure, James Milner and co should have done more to prevent Cesar Azpilicueta crossing from the left, but Moreno's reaction (or non-reaction) allowed Ramires the freedom of the penalty area to bury his header. Game plan undone.



He is capable of good things – usually when racing back to recover – but such errors – losing concentration, switching off, diving in unnecessarily – will cost goals. They need to be stamped out, and quickly. Otherwise Klopp might come to the same conclusion Brendan Rodgers did.







Reds fans revel in Mourinho's misfortune







It can be a distracting business, reporting on a game from the Stamford Bridge press box. Jose Mourinho's antics in the technical area are always eye-catching, and occasionally ear drum bursting.



He produced his full repertoire here, berating fourth official Lee Mason whenever Lucas Leiva piled into a tackle – in fairness, he probably had a point when the Brazilian escaped a second yellow card during the second half – and encouraging action whenever Jurgen Klopp had the temerity to do similar.



He who laughs last, however, laughs loudest. This game ended with the away end taunting their long-time foe. “You're not special any more,” came the chant. He certainly didn't look it today. Nor did his side.