Chelsea vs Liverpool: Three lessons learnt in encouraging draw

By Tan Yi Hao | Jan 3, 2022

Chelsea's US midfielder Christian Pulisic is mobbed by teammates after scoring the team's second goal during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Stamford Bridge in London on January 2, 2022. - 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 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP) / 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 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / 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 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images) /

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LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 28: A general view outside Stamford Bridge is seen prior to the Premier League match between Chelsea and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on November 28, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images) /

2. Poor home form

Chelsea’s draw against Liverpool is the club’s fifth stalemate in six home games recently. To put it lightly, this is seriously not good enough for a side that started the season with serious title ambitions. Included in the five draws are disappointing ones against Manchester United, Everton and Burnley where the Blues dominated the entire proceedings of the match, but were ultimately undone by their inability to finish off the chances they had created. Moreover, Chelsea’s solitary home win since the 7-0 victory over Norwich City, the 3-2 win against Leeds United, came courtesy of a last-gasp penalty in a match that the home side arguably did not do enough to win.

Chelsea is now 10 points behind title favourites Manchester City and thus, the title is frankly no longer an attainable goal for Tuchel’s side this campaign. When considering the various reasons behind the Blues’ title-charge falling short this season, their home form will undoubtedly come under the microscope.

In 10 games at Stamford Bridge this season, Chelsea has only won five, drawing the other four and losing 1-0 to Manchester City early on. These are costly points to drop, especially when accounting for the manner in which the points were lost, with the last-minute equaliser from Danny Welbeck in the 1-1 draw with Brighton still particularly difficult to stomach. While Chelsea did incredibly well to stage a successful comeback against the Reds, it is nevertheless two more dropped points for the home side. If a title charge is to take place next season, this will surely be something Tuchel will seek to improve.

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