Why beating Chelsea away was about as good as it gets for Liverpool

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Beating Chelsea away, in the manner they managed it, was about as good as it gets for Liverpool.

And that’s a compliment. No, Chelsea aren’t quite what they were, but they’re still one of the top sides in the Premier League. They gave Liverpool a very tough test in the UEFA Super Cup and the Reds will have anticipated the same on Sunday.

This wasn’t Liverpool at their best, either. Neither Sadio Mane or Mohamed Salah were on form – the two players who trouble Chelsea the most.

Both scored in the win at Anfield last season and Mane was the key man in the Super Cup last month. This is before you even consider their importance to Liverpool and the fact that the attack is based around them.

But neither performed and Liverpool still won one of their toughest tests of the season. In fact, Liverpool weren’t at their best as a whole. In 193 matches under Jurgen Klopp in the league or Europe, this was only the fifth time the Reds managed fewer than seven shots.

It’s a game that, on paper, they shouldn’t win. Jurgen Klopp’s side weren’t at their best full-stop, both of their primary goalscorers struggled, they’re away at Chelsea after losing in midweek, and their reserve goalkeeper is between the sticks.

And yet a couple of set-pieces and some good goalkeeping led to them beating Chelsea away. They found a way to win, kept the winning streak going and rebounded from midweek disappointment.

It’s about as good as it gets. You can’t imagine a similar performance or set of circumstances would win at Manchester City, for instance. They won three points they really shouldn’t have – points the champions only usually get.

The win at Stamford Bridge feels like a big moment in the season. Performances like this deliver the title.