Liverpool kept their five-point lead at the top of the Premier League with a commanding 4-1 win at Anfield against Chelsea.

First Half

The game between the two rivals got off to a lively start as expected with it only taking eight minutes till the first chance of the game as Darwin Núñez's powerful shot forced a crucial save from Dorde Petrović who tipped it onto the crossbar.

Less than 10 minutes later, it was an identical sequence as Núñez's left-footed strike inside Chelsea's box forced another good save from Petrović whose contact led it to hit the post for a corner.

With Liverpool dominating possession, it was only a matter of time before they broke down Chelsea and that they did in the 21st minute when Diogo Jota wriggled his way past both Thiago Silva and Benoît Badiashile to finish past Petrović to open the scoring and what was just his second goal against Chelsea in his career.

The deadlock had finally been broken and Jürgen Klopp's Liverpool looked much freer and with their constant pressing, Chelsea simply couldn't cope.

Luis Díaz, who looks much like his old self, managed to shuck a challenge and lay out an inviting pass for Conor Bradley who made a long run from right back as he found himself in the box before dispatching a brilliant finish to score his first Liverpool goal.

It was a stunning finish from the 20-year-old and a well-deserved goal for the Reds. The game looked to be over in just the first half after Jota was fouled by Badiashile in the box, earning Liverpool a penalty a minute before half-time.

With regular penalty-taker Mohamed Salah out with injury, Núñez stepped up to take just his second penalty ever for Liverpool and for the third time this game, the striker hit the post as he failed to make it 3-0 to Liverpool.

Second Half

Despite the excitement of the first half, the second half of the game began quite subdued with both teams having bouts of possession but not creating much with it.

With Liverpool looking like they'd coast to a comfortable victory underneath the Anfield lights, the home side turned it on once again as a teasing cross from Conor Bradley met Dominik Szoboszlai in the air who headed past Petrović for his fifth goal of the season.

Liverpool finally had their three-goal lead but it didn't last for long after smart feet from Christopher Nkunku in the box allowed him a yard of space to let a shot off past Alisson Becker to give Chelsea a way back into the game.

With momentum behind them, Mauricio Pochettino's side pressed Liverpool following their goal but just eight minutes after their goal, Darwin Núñez - who hit the woodwork four times which is the most in a Premier League game ever - turned provider with a sumptuous left-footed pass across the box which Díaz got on the end of to continue his impressive form in 2024 and to make sure Liverpool ran out with three points in a 4-1 rout.

LFC Globe Verdict

Once again, it was a dominating Liverpool performance as they continue to get better and better each week. While they may be wasteful in front of goal at times (Darwin Núñez) they create enough chances to score multiple times per game - a dangerous attribute in any team. 

Man Of The Match And What's Next?

There were several contenders for the Man of the Match award but I'd be remiss if I didn't give it to anybody but Conor Bradley.

In his fourth start in 10 days across two different competitions, he had a hand in three of Liverpool's four goals today while netting his first strike for Liverpool.

The biggest compliment you can pay the 20-year-old is that Trent Alexander-Arnold has some work to do if he wants to regain his right-back spot.

The impressive performance from the Northern Ireland international may have booked him a starting spot in Liverpool's Sunday (February 4) clash away at Arsenal at 16:30PM (UK time).