Chelsea beaten: Five lessons learnt from Liverpool defeat

By Scott Brant | Sep 18, 2016

Chelsea's Brazilian defender David Luiz (L) reacts as Liverpool's Croatian defender Dejan Lovren (3L) celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Stamford Bridge in London on September 16, 2016. / AFP / Adrian DENNIS / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo credit should read ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images) /

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LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 16: Antonio Conte manager of Chelsea gives instructions during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on September 16, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images) /

2nd half reaction was positive

After the first half, the Chelsea of last season would have packed it up and gone home. I’m not sure what the Blues manager said to his charges at half-time but it was effective.

The way Liverpool were handing it to the Blues in the first 45 minutes, the score could have been worse. Last season it may have resulted in a 4-0 killing. Once the whistle was blown to start the second period, Chelsea looked motivated.

They didn’t just lay down and move on, they fought and made a match of it. There was passion and fight after a heartless first half.

While the performance showed flaws that are all too familiar, this was one positive development. Conte has re-instilled that fighting characteristic all successful sides require. The product on the pitch is not quite there yet, but the mindset is. That is the hardest aspect of the game to master.

What did you learn from the contest? Let us know in the comments below!

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