Liverpool vs Chelsea live
- Liverpool draw 1-1 with Chelsea in entertaining clash at Anfield
- REPORT: Liverpool’s insipid draw with Chelsea epitomises the incoherent nature of their season
- Chelsea finally end six-game losing streak thanks to bizarre Enzo Fernandez free-kick
- Liverpool fans boo substitution of Rio Ngumoha and briefly boo at the end of the game
- Ryan Gravenberch opened the scoring with stunning curled finish as Liverpool miss chance to wrap up Champions League qualification
- 35' - GOAL! Enzo's free-kick bounces all the way through and in to bring Chelsea level [LIV 1-1 CHE]
- 6' - GOAL! Gravenberch curls home stunner from edge of the box [LIV 1-0 CHE]
Liverpool’s insipid draw with Chelsea epitomises the incoherent nature of their season
Saturday 9 May 2026 16:30 , Luke BakerThere was a moment in the first half when the Liverpool supporters revived a chant from the Anfield songbook a couple of decades ago. Chelsea , they chorused, “ain’t got no history”. Yet when Chelsea avoided making it, it was an achievement for Calum McFarlane but an indictment of Arne Slot.
When Ryan Gravenberch gave Liverpool the lead, Chelsea were on course to equal a club record of seven straight league defeats, set in 1952. They avoided that ignominy. A first point in more than two months came courtesy of Enzo Fernandez, but also due to Liverpool’s failings.
Two clubs who have had some epic battles shared a draw that was instead error-strewn and, at times, insipid. These are rivals who contested twin Champions League semi-finals.
Now Chelsea almost certainly will not return to the European elite and Liverpool missed the chance to all but book their place in the Champions League. In a season of missed opportunities, this was another.
Read Richard Jolly’s full report from Anfield:
Liverpool’s draw with Chelsea epitomises the incoherent nature of their season
Arne Slot explains Rio Ngumoha decision after Liverpool fans furiously boo substitution
Saturday 9 May 2026 16:06 , Luke BakerArne Slot said he knew Liverpool fans would boo when he decided to substitute Rio Ngumoha in the 1-1 draw with Chelsea – but that they would not have done if they knew the full story.
Thousands inside Anfield showed their displeasure when Slot took off the 17-year-old winger, who had impressed and assisted Ryan Gravenberch’s opening goal on six minutes – and brought on club-record signing Alexander Isak in his place.
The Dutchman noticed the scale of the dissent but he revealed that Ngumoha had been suffering from cramp, forcing his removal, even though he he did not want to bring the teenager off.
Arne Slot explains Rio Ngumoha decision after Liverpool fans boo substitution
WATCH: Enzo Fernandez's bizarre goal
Saturday 9 May 2026 15:37 , Luke BakerWas it Enzo Fernandez or Wesley Fofana? It’s not 100 per cent clear, although Fernandez has been awarded the goal, but here was Chelsea’s equaliser.
Enzo Fernandez's free-kick goes all the way through and Chelsea are level 💥
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 9, 2026
📺 TNT Sports and HBO Max pic.twitter.com/VVZJMhgO4a
WATCH: Arne Slot's full post-match interview
Saturday 9 May 2026 15:20 , Luke BakerHere’s Arne Slot’s full post-match interview with TNT Sports, including his reaction to the boos at the end of the match
"It should be like this if we don't win"
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 9, 2026
Arne Slot gives his thoughts on Liverpool's draw with Chelsea and responds to boos at Anfield...
🎙️ @julesbreach
📺 TNT Sports and HBO Max pic.twitter.com/ftChS4vHDR
Arne Slot responds to Liverpool fans booing the substitution of Rio Ngumoha
Saturday 9 May 2026 15:03 , Luke BakerThe Kop weren’t happy when Rio Ngumoha was subbed off on 62 minutes for Alexander Isak but Arne Slot has explained his thinking.
Speaking to TNT Sports, Slot said: “I don't think it was some of them - there were a lot that didn't agree with the change which is completely understandable.
"He was having problems with his muscles and when I asked him he said he was not sure he could continue. I knew this would be the reaction because he is such a good player. So often in football, people don't know everything. I am the manager and I need to make decisions.
"Knowing why makes it more sense for people."
'Unimpressive Liverpool miss an opportunity'
Saturday 9 May 2026 14:33 , Richard Jolly at AnfieldHere’s Richard Jolly’s final analysis from Anfield
Chelsea end their losing run and ensure they won't equal the club record of seven straight league defeats, set in 1952. Liverpool miss an opportunity to all but book their spot in next season's Champions League.
It may not cost them but this was unimpressive nonetheless, losing their way and the lead, and with Anfield evidently dissatisfied. There were boos at the final whistle.
FULL-TIME! Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea
Saturday 9 May 2026 14:29 , Luke BakerAll over at Anfield. That was a fun one to watch! A few boos at full-time from the Kop - I think mostly at the ref for the way the game ended.
Chelsea FINALLY end their losing run in the league, while Liverpool pay have to wait a while longer to mathematically secure Champions League qualification, depending how Bournemouth do against Fulham this afternoon.
Gravenberch opened the scoring with a stunner, Fernandez scored a bizarre free-kick and both teams then had goals disallowed. Entertaining stuff at Anfield
Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea, 90+6 mins
Saturday 9 May 2026 14:25 , Luke BakerChiesa frustrated as the referee puls play up for a free-kick to Liverpool when he wanted him to play on with the Reds in transition.
Gusto defends it well and then Palmer wins a free-kick on the touchline. This one is going to end all square.
Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea, 90+2 mins
Saturday 9 May 2026 14:20 , Luke BakerAll Chelsea now. Reece James has impressed since coming on and he’s providing an attacking outlet down the right.
A ball is fizzed across the box but goes through and Liverpool survive
Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea, 90 mins
Saturday 9 May 2026 14:18 , Luke BakerChelsea want a penalty as Frimpong and Pedro get their legs tangled in the box with the Chelsea player trying to get to the byline. VAR has a look and deems that it’s fine.
Into seven minutes of added time.
Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea, 88 mins
Saturday 9 May 2026 14:16 , Luke BakerGomez fouls Fernandez and then refuses to give the ball back for a quick free-kick. He gets yellow carded by the referee.
Chelsea with a couple of attacking forays in the last few minutes but, unlike for the Labour government in yesterday’s local elections, the red wall is holding firm...
Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea, 85 mins
Saturday 9 May 2026 14:14 , Luke BakerLiverpool really pressing for a winner here. Another corner, more pulling, grabbing and general messiness in the box but Chelsea just about clear.
CROSSBAR! Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea, 80 mins
Saturday 9 May 2026 14:10 , Luke BakerAgonising for Liverpool! A corner whipped in and Van Dijk powers a header that clatters off the bar with Jorgensen beaten. So close!
Van Dijk also livid as he thought he should have had a penalty, with Caicedo draped all over him. VAR checks in the background and clears it.
It definitely feels like there’s another goal to come in this match.
'Gakpo's involvement started late...'
Saturday 9 May 2026 14:08 , Richard Jolly at AnfieldMore from Richard Jolly at Anfield
Off goes Cody Gakpo, whose involvement started late, given that he didn't touch the ball in the first 40 minutes...
CLOSE! Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea, 77 mins
Saturday 9 May 2026 14:06 , Luke BakerAlmost sublime from Joao Pedro! He weaves between players, gets a bit of luck as he bundles through a couple of defenders on the edge of the box and the ball bounces back to him, then he shapes his body and tries to curl into the far corner but it’s just wide. Not far at all!
Liverpool make a double sub as Joe Gomez and Federico Chiesa come on for Konate and Gakpo.
Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea, 74 mins
Saturday 9 May 2026 14:02 , Luke BakerSuddenly can’t move for bookings! Enzo absolutely clatters his man in his midfield and sees yellow.
Liverpool starting to press here. They force Chelsea to concede a corner, although the Blues defend it well.
POST! Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea, 71 mins
Saturday 9 May 2026 14:00 , Luke BakerA wonderful hit by Dominik Szoboszlai. He picks the ball up, strides forward a couple of step and lashes a shot at goal. Jorgensen is beaten by the ball clatters off the near post.
A rueful smile from Szoboszlai.
Cucurella then tries to win the ball in the Liverpool half but is deemed to commit the foul. The Chelsea bench are furious and Calum McFarlane is booked for his protests
Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea, 68 mins
Saturday 9 May 2026 13:58 , Luke BakerSzoboszlai with another free-kick from the right after Hato becomes the first player in the book for a foul but this one sails over the head of everyone and out for a throw. Not his best...
'The Anfield public aren't happy'
Saturday 9 May 2026 13:56 , Richard Jolly at AnfieldRichard Jolly on that substitution
Loud boos when Rio Ngumoha was removed and Alexander Isak came on, along with choruses of "Rio". The Anfield public aren't happy with Arne Slot there.
Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea, 65 mins
Saturday 9 May 2026 13:55 , Luke BakerLiverpool throw on Alexander Isak in pursuit of a winner. Rio Ngumoha taken off and the Kop don’t like that. Boos ring round Anfield!
Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea, 62 mins
Saturday 9 May 2026 13:51 , Luke BakerThis is breathless stuff. What a last half an hour we’re in for!
Substitution for Chelsea as the returning Reece James comes on for Andrey Santos.
NO PENALTY! Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea, 60 mins
Saturday 9 May 2026 13:50 , Luke BakerAll happening now! Huge appeal for a penalty from Liverpool as a low cross clips the trailing hand of a sliding Fofana as he goes to block. But VAR determine it’s no penalty - it was a supporting arm he could do nothing about.
And then Jorgensen pulls off a great save! The ball falls to Szoboszlai and he lashes it goalwards but the keeper plunges to his left and pushes it away.
NO GOAL! Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea (Curtis Jones, 58 mins)
Saturday 9 May 2026 13:48 , Luke BakerNow Liverpool’s turn to have a goal disallowed! Curtis Jones starts a move by skating past Fernandez and finishes it by heading home from close range after Gakpo nods Szoboszlai’s sumptuous chip to the far post back across goal.
But the assistant referee’s flag is up for offside, Gakpo needlessly straying slightly off. Heartbreak for the home side now!
Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea, 55 mins
Saturday 9 May 2026 13:45 , Luke BakerOh no, this could be bad news for Levi Colwill and Chelsea. He’s missed most of the season with a knee injury and this is his first start.
But he’s hobbling around suggesting there’s a problem with his leg. Awful luck if so. He’ll try to carry on for now.
Meanwhile, another sloppy Liverpool pass and Mac Allister with a great tackle to stop the lively Cucurella from scoring
'Cucurella's hair may have been offside but Liverpool feel shambolic'
Saturday 9 May 2026 13:42 , Luke BakerThe latest from Richard Jolly at Anfield
A bit of a lucky escape for Liverpool, considering how easily they were opened up. Marc Cucurella's hair may have been offside there
Meanwhile, Arne Slot has changed tactics, albeit strangely. Jeremie Frimpong is now playing right-back, but with no right winger. Curtis Jones is in midfield. It all feels lopsided. And somewhat shambolic...
NO GOAL! Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea (Cole Palmer, 50 mins)
Saturday 9 May 2026 13:41 , Luke BakerLiverpool make an absolute horlicks of this and Chelsea lead, with Cole Palmer the beneficiary!
Cucurella set away down the left, cuts back to Pedro around the penalty spot but it’s just behind him. Van Dijk and Mamardashvili make a mess of a clearance, it falls to Palmer and he rifles home.
BUT WAIT! We’ve got a VAR check to see if Cucurella was offside... It’s close but HE IS! He leant forward as the pass was played and it looks like his shoulder was offside. So unlucky for Chelsea!
Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea, 48 mins
Saturday 9 May 2026 13:38 , Luke BakerLiverpool start the half well. Szoboszlai whips in a free-kick and Mac Allister's header sails over.
Ooof! Jorgensen then plays with fire as he receives a back pass and just about manages to Cruyff turn past Szoboszlai and clear. Near disaster for the keeper
KICK-OFF! Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea
Saturday 9 May 2026 13:36 , Luke BakerBack underway at Anfield. Will we have a winner?
WATTCH: First-half goals
Saturday 9 May 2026 13:27 , Luke BakerHere’s the two goals from that first half. A superb finish and a slightly odd free-kick that goes all the way through
Ryan Gravenberch opens the scoring with an absolute screamer 🚀
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 9, 2026
📺 TNT Sports and HBO Max pic.twitter.com/CTiF8YD3ko
Enzo Fernandez's free-kick goes all the way through and Chelsea are level 💥
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 9, 2026
📺 TNT Sports and HBO Max pic.twitter.com/VVZJMhgO4a
HALF-TIME! Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea
Saturday 9 May 2026 13:19 , Luke BakerThat’s half-time at Anfield. A really compelling game of football between two flawed sides.
Ryan Gravenberch put Liverpool ahead with a superb curling finish before Chelsea equalised thanks to Enzo Fernandez’s bizarre free-kick.
WATCH: Enzo Fernandez equalises with bizarre free-kick
Saturday 9 May 2026 13:15 , Luke BakerHere’s Enzo’s goal. There was no Fofana touch...
Liverpool have now conceded their mist-ever set-piece goals in a season though
Enzo Fernandez's free-kick goes all the way through and Chelsea are level 💥
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 9, 2026
📺 TNT Sports and HBO Max pic.twitter.com/VVZJMhgO4a
Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea, 42 mins
Saturday 9 May 2026 13:14 , Luke BakerIt’s been confirmed that Wesley Fofana didn’t get ta touch on Enzo Fernandez’s goal. Which we knew, really
SAVE! Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea, 39 mins
Saturday 9 May 2026 13:13 , Luke BakerLiverpool are suddenly on the ropes! There is an acre of room between right-back Jones and centre-back Konate which Enzo strolls through and the pass finds him.
He strikes a decent shot at goal but Mamardashvili stays big and parries it clear. A save you’d expect to him make but Chelsea carved Liverpool open
'It looked as though Fofana missed it by some distance'
Saturday 9 May 2026 13:11 , Richard Jolly at AnfieldHere’s Richard Jolly at Anfield
The PA announcer gave the goal to Wesley Fofana. It looked as though he missed it, and by some distance.
GOAL! Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea (Enzo Fernandez, 35 mins)
Saturday 9 May 2026 13:09 , Luke BakerAnd Chelsea are level! It’s a slightly bizarre one. Enzo Fernandez takes a free-kick 35 yards out, puts it in a great area, Wesley Fofana has a swing at the bouncing ball, appears to miss it and the ball goes into the corner, off the post, anyway with Mamardashvili unmoved.
Fofana is claiming it, saying he got a touch but I’m not sure he did... I think that’s Enzo’s goal. Regardless, Chelsea are level!
Liverpool 1-0 Chelsea, 31 mins
Saturday 9 May 2026 13:05 , Luke BakerCucurella has been Chelsea’s most dangerous player so far in his more advanced position. He starts a move and then makes a great drat into the box which is picked out by a ball over the top.
He chests it but Mamardashvili is off his line to smother the ball at his feet just before he can get a shot away.
He then gets to the byline well but has his cross blocked and it bounces back off him for a goal-kick.
SAVE! Liverpool 1-0 Chelsea, 28 mins
Saturday 9 May 2026 13:02 , Luke BakerMamardashvili forced into action as Cucurella finds space on the left and lashes a shot across the face of goal, with the Georgian stopper diving outwards and getting a hand on it to push it away.
Hard to say if it would have gone in the far corner or not but a decent stop.
Liverpool 1-0 Chelsea, 26 mins
Saturday 9 May 2026 12:58 , Luke BakerHato switching positions to try and unsettle Liverpool. He pops up on the right, overlapping Andrey Santos but then gives away a foul by grabbing the arm of the Liverpool player
Liverpool 1-0 Chelsea, 22 mins
Saturday 9 May 2026 12:54 , Luke BakerA test for Levi Colwill as the ball is played into the channel down the Liverpool right and the centre-back is across quickly, beating Frimpong to the ball and clearing.
That was fast - he showed no ill-effects from his almost year out with injury. If he can prove his fitness, could he be a bolter in England’s World Cup squad this summer?
CLOSE! Liverpool 1-0 Chelsea, 19 mins
Saturday 9 May 2026 12:52 , Luke BakerMamardashvili is very sharply off his line to deny Joao Pedro. A ball through sends Pedro clear but Mamardashvili is quickly out to smother the ball ahead of the in-form Brazilian
'Liverpool fans singing about Luis Garcia'
Saturday 9 May 2026 12:50 , Richard Jolly at AnfieldMore from our Senior Football Correspondent Richard Jolly at Anfield.
The Liverpool fans are singing about Luis Garcia, scorer of perhaps their most famous winner against Chelsea - though Jose Mourinho would say the 2005 "ghost goal" never crossed the line
WATCH: Ryan Gravenberch curls Liverpool ahead
Saturday 9 May 2026 12:46 , Luke BakerHere’s that Ryan Gravenberch goal. Class
Ryan Gravenberch opens the scoring with an absolute screamer 🚀
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 9, 2026
📺 TNT Sports and HBO Max pic.twitter.com/CTiF8YD3ko
'Chelsea could have done better to close Gravenberch down'
Saturday 9 May 2026 12:45 , Richard Jolly at AnfieldRichard Jolly at Anfield has given his analysis of that goal
Brilliant from Ryan Gravenberch but Chelsea may feel a side with three defensive midfielders - depending on whether Enzo Fernandez is described as such - could have done more to close him down.
Liverpool 1-0 Chelsea, 12 mins
Saturday 9 May 2026 12:44 , Luke BakerLiverpool knocking on the door here! The dancing feet of Ngumoha on the left wing creates space and he stands up a cross that is only a inch too high for Gakpo to head home.
Ball fired back in but blocked by a desperate Chelsea defence. They’re on the ropes
MISS! Liverpool 1-0 Chelsea, 10 mins
Saturday 9 May 2026 12:43 , Luke BakerIt should be 2-0! Liverpool win a corner and send the big guns up from the back. They go short to switch the angle and Szoboszlai curls a sumptuous ball into the back post.
Van Dijk is all alone, having out-muscled his man. He hits the ball as it lands, eight yards out but spoons it over the bar. Golden chance!
Liverpool 1-0 Chelsea, 8 mins
Saturday 9 May 2026 12:41 , Luke BakerNot a bad response from Chelsea. They surge forward and whips a cross into the box that is sitting there invitingly but Van Dijk scrambles it clear.
GOAL! Liverpool 1-0 Chelsea (Ryan Gravenberch, 6 mins)
Saturday 9 May 2026 12:38 , Luke BakerOH MY WORD! An exquisite finish from Ryan Gravenberch!
Szoboszlai’s blocked free-kick falls to Liverpool and it’s fed to Ngumoha on the left. He shifts it inside to Gravenberch, wonderful first touch and then curled home from the edge of the box with his right foot. Superb!
Although... Should Filip Jorgensen do better there? Powerful curled finish but it wasn’t exactly in the corner...
Liverpool 0-0 Chelsea, 5 mins
Saturday 9 May 2026 12:36 , Luke BakerLiverpool win a free-kick about 40 yards out and Szoboszlai lines it up! This is miles out but he does have a cannon...
Thunders it into the jumping wall instead. Won’t be fun for whoever blocked that...
'Chelsea in a back four'
Saturday 9 May 2026 12:35 , Richard Jolly at AnfieldRichard Jolly is our man on the ground at Anfield today.
The teamsheet suggested Chelsea would have a back five but it seems more of a back four, with Marc Cucurella on the left of midfield. Andrey Santos is often following Dominik Szoboszlai around.
Liverpool 0-0 Chelsea, 3 mins
Saturday 9 May 2026 12:34 , Luke BakerIt looks like Chelsea may be playing with a back four, with Hato at left-back and Cucurella playing further forward. I’m sure that will be fluid though.
Liverpool controlling possession early on but they give the ball away in their own half, Palmer darts into the box to the left of the goal and has a cross-shot that is divingly plucked out of the air by Mamardashvili.
KICK-OFF! Liverpool 0-0 Chelsea
Saturday 9 May 2026 12:32 , Luke BakerUnderway at Anfield. Sounds like a really good atmosphere
Liverpool vs Chelsea teams
Saturday 9 May 2026 12:28 , Luke BakerHere’s a reminder of today’s team news.
Rio Ngumoha starts for Liverpool, with Florian Wirtz out ill and Alexander Isak only deemed fit enough for the bench.
Levi Colwill starts his first game this season for Chelsea after recovering from injury but Reece James is only on the bench. They’re still bereft of wingers due to injury, so who knows how they’ll line up...
Liverpool XI: Mamardashvili; Jones, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Frimpong, Szoboszlai, Ngumoha; Gakpo
Chelsea XI: Jorgenson; Gusto, Fofana, Colwill, Cucurella, Hato; Caicedo, Santos, Enzo; Palmer, Pedro
The Jurgen Klopp blueprint Arne Slot must follow to rescue floundering Liverpool
Saturday 9 May 2026 12:22 , Luke BakerWhile things haven’t been quite as catastrophic at Liverpool, it’s been a hugely disappointing title defence for the Reds.
Richard Jolly digs into how they can sort the problems out and Arne Slot can save his job:
The Jurgen Klopp blueprint Arne Slot must follow to rescue floundering Liverpool
McFarlane insists Chelsea players haven't down tools
Saturday 9 May 2026 12:17 , Luke BakerInterim boss Calum McFarlane has denied accusations that Chelsea’s players have ‘downed tools’ this season.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, McFarlane bristled at the suggestion that his team - who have lost six straight Premier League games - have thrown in the towel.
“No, I wouldn’t agree with that,” said McFarlane. “The performances haven’t been good enough, we’re in a really bad run at the moment.
“But I do see these boys every day, every training session, every meeting, in the gym, they are in a good place to go and attack games.
“We just haven’t been able to translate that on the game on Monday, so hopefully we can improve that on Saturday.”
Arne Slot explains why Florian Wirtz not in the Liverpool squad
Saturday 9 May 2026 12:07 , Luke BakerFlorian Wirtz isn’t in the Liverpool squad today and Arne Slot has explained the German’s absence.
Speaking to TNT Sports pre-match, Slot said: “He tried everything to be in it. But an infection in the stomach.
“He wasn’t feeling well during the week. He tried earlier in the week to train, but in the end things got worse and he wasn’t able to train with us yesterday and isn’t able to be with us today.”
Calum McFarlane: 'We have a lot of faith in Filip Jorgensen'
Saturday 9 May 2026 12:01 , Luke BakerInterim Chelsea boss Calum McFarlane has spoken to TNT Sports ahead of today’s clash about his team selection, including injuries, the return of Levi Colwill and back-up Filip Jorgensen starting in goal.
On the lack of wingers available in the squad: “There's nothing we can do about that. We've got players that are carrying injuries, so we've just had to be creative in how we line the team up and make sure we've got enough threat.
On Filip Jorgensen: “We have a lot of faith in Filip. Everyone talked about the mistake in the PSG game but he was amazing in the game before that against Aston Villa, that we won 4-1. So he's got a lot of talent. We have a lot of trust in him and we trust him.
On Levi Colwill returning: “We’re delighted to have Levi back. It's been a long road. He's been unbelievable and I'm really happy that he gets back in, starting a Premier League game. We've missed him. He adds a lot with his experience, his leadership and his quality. He's got everything you need in a centre-back.”
Who wants to be Chelsea manager? Incoherent buying and clueless ownership make it the impossible job
Saturday 9 May 2026 11:50 , Luke BakerLiverpool have faced Bruno Saltor. Now for Calum McFarlane. There will be an interim manager in the Chelsea dugout today; not for the first time in this fixture, given that Saltor’s only game in charge, following Graham Potter’s sacking and before Frank Lampard became a slightly more permanent caretaker, was a 0-0 draw against Liverpool in 2023.
If their owners are engaging in the “self-reflection” they promised after Liam Rosenior’s sacking, they may care to note that as many people have taken charge of Chelsea in their four-year ownership – eight – as have led Liverpool this millennium; and that is including Phil Thompson, who only assumed the reins because Gerard Houllier was ill.
Or perhaps, still convinced of their genius, they are simultaneously preparing their next managerial appointment while finding more loopholes to avoid breaching financial regulations now it is apparent they won’t have Champions League football next season; something for which Liverpool, whose passage back into Europe has been eased by Chelsea’s run of six straight defeats, can be very grateful.
Read Richard Jolly’s full analysis of the Chelsea mess:
Who wants to be Chelsea manager? BlueCo have made it the impossible job
Colwill's return a huge boost for Chelsea but Wirtz a miss for Liverpool
Saturday 9 May 2026 11:36 , Richard Jolly at AnfieldOur Senior Football Correspondent Richard Jolly is at Anfield to day and has given his take on the line-ups.
Levi Colwill gets his first start of the season for Chelsea and, among the many things have gone wrong this season, his absence for nearly all of it has been one.
Chelsea, who have lost their last six league games, have a team entirely without wingers.
Liverpool have one without the absent Florian Wirtz and with Alexander Isak only returning on the bench.
They do at least have Giorgi Mamardashvili back while Rio Ngumoha makes just his third Premier League start against his former club.
Liverpool XI: Mamardashvili; Jones, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Frimpong, Szoboszlai, Ngumoha; Gakpo
Chelsea XI: Jorgenson; Gusto, Fofana, Colwill, Cucurella, Hato; Caicedo, Santos, Enzo; Palmer, Pedro
Chelsea team news - James on the bench, Colwill starts
Saturday 9 May 2026 11:28 , Luke BakerThis is Chelsea’s line-up today. Reece James is available but only on the bench while another doubt, centre-back Levi Colwill, starts.
Pedro Neto and Alejandro Garnacho both miss out, as thought
Our starting XI at Anfield. 👊#CFC | #LIVCHE pic.twitter.com/fYMnlrrIMc
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) May 9, 2026
Liverpool team news - Isak on the bench
Saturday 9 May 2026 11:24 , Luke BakerHere’s how Liverpool line up today. Fit-again Alexander Isak is only on the bench while Rio Ngumoha and Cody Gakpo both start.
As reported, Giorgi Mamardashvili is fit and starts between the sticks.
The Reds to take on Chelsea 🔴 #LIVCHE
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) May 9, 2026
Why spotlight on Liverpool’s dressing room culture is a sign of a changing club
Saturday 9 May 2026 11:10 , Luke BakerLiverpool set the standards last season. The Premier League table provides some proof those standards have slipped on the pitch; so, too, the total of 18 defeats in all competitions. Yet the attention has been diverted to the standards off the pitch.
Mohamed Salah said he felt the bond in the dressing room is changing; he spoke of his concerns about the mentality in the dressing room. A man whose chiselled physique is testament to his work ethic said players need to get in early to go the gym, which in turn will encourage others to.
For Arne Slot, the culture is not a problem; nor does he think it will be next season when Andy Robertson and Salah, two of the stalwarts of Jurgen Klopp’s great side, depart. Slot argued that there are enough cultural architects already in his side to weather the loss of two influential figures.
If the accusation was flying around that Liverpool were afforded too many days off, they have had fewer this year than in their title-winning campaign under Slot, or their final year under Klopp. One interpretation of their slide this year is that the culture Klopp and his senior players imbued is being dissipated and diluted with time. Slot does not concur.
Read Richard Jolly’s full analysis of the Liverpool situation
Why spotlight on Liverpool’s dressing room culture is a sign of a changing club
Chelsea's remarkable collapse
Saturday 9 May 2026 10:58 , Luke BakerThings have been going very, very badly for Chelsea recently. They were right in the hunt for Champions League football but have now lost six straight Premier League games to drop to ninth.
Only Joao Pedro’s spectacular late consolation in the 3-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest last time out stopped them from going goalless for the entirety of that six-game streak...
They are now in serious danger of missing out on European football entirely, trailing seventh-placed Brentford by three points (the exact number of English teams in Europe next season is yet to be determined.
They do still have the FA Cup final against Man City later this month as another potential route to Europe as well.
Liverpool close to Champions League football
Saturday 9 May 2026 10:51 , Luke BakerLiverpool can take a big step towards Champions League football this lunchtime and maybe even seal it later today.
The Premier League top five will all qualify for competition due to England’s co-efficient and victory for Liverpool would put them nine points clear of Bournemouth in sixth, who only have three games left.
The first of those comes this afternoon away to Fulham, so any dropped points for Andoni Iraola’s side if the Reds have won earlier, would seal the deal for Arne Slot’s side.
Even if not mathematically secure today, Liverpool’s goal difference is nine better than Bournemouth currently, so victory would all but take them there.
How to watch Liverpool vs Chelsea
Saturday 9 May 2026 10:28 , Luke BakerLiverpool take on Chelsea this lunchtime with kick-off at Anfield at 12:30pm BST.
It will be shown live in the UK on TNT Sports 1 and HBO Max.
Early Chelsea team news - Colwill and James should be available
Saturday 9 May 2026 10:25 , Luke BakerChelsea should have Levi Colwill and Reece James available, with interim boss Calum McFarlane saying in his pre-match press conference: “We’ve got a few lads returning, so Levi’s trained another full week again, Reece as well, so it’s looking promising,”
However, Robert Sanchez is out due to a head injury and Pedro Neto and Alejandro Garnacho are doubts due to knocks.
Possible Chelsea XI: Jorgenson; James, Fofana, Colwill, Cucurella; Lavia, Caicedo; Palmer, Enzo, Pedro; Delap
Early Liverpool team news - Reds face Isak decision
Saturday 9 May 2026 10:21 , Luke BakerAlexander Isak and goalkeeper and Giorgi Mamardashvili could return after missing the defeat at Manchester United, leaving Arne Slot with a decision as to whether to start with the injury-prone Swedish striker or bring him off the bench.
Alisson Becker and Mohamed Salah remain out but Florian Wirtz, who missed training with illness on Wednesday, is expected to be available.
Possible Liverpool XI: Mamardashvili; Jones, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Frimpong, Szoboszlai, Wirtz; Isak
Liverpool vs Chelsea
Saturday 9 May 2026 10:08 , Luke BakerWelcome to The Independent’s coverage of Liverpool v Chelsea.
Victory for the Reds would all but lock up Champions League qualification for another year, while crisis-hit Chelsea are desperately searching for a win from anywhere to stop their inexorable slide down the table and try to find some semblance of form ahead of the FA Cup final
