LIVERPOOL, England (AP) – Liverpool suffered a 1-1 draw with Chelsea at Anfield on Saturday as the visiting team ended a six-game losing streak in the Premier League and came within inches of qualifying for the Champions League.
Enzo Fernandes’ deflected free-kick found its way into the net in the 36th minute, and after an early goal from Ryan Gravenbirch, Chelsea equalized.
Arne Slott’s side were heard booing at the final whistle after another shaky performance. It was the type of thing that characterized their season as the defending Premier League champions.
Fourth-placed Liverpool are still on track to qualify for the Champions League, with a win against Aston Villa next Friday to qualify.
Grafenwerch took the lead in the 6th minute with a shot from outside the area into the top right corner.
Fernandes tied the score in the 36th minute with a long-range free kick. He curled a bouncy shot into the area, hit the far post and into the net. Liverpool goalkeeper Giorgi Mamadashvili stood frozen waiting for Wesley Fofana to try to redirect the ball, but the Chelsea defender missed it. The ball then bounced, hit the post and went into the goal.
Liverpool came close in the 79th minute when Virgil van Dijk’s header hit the bar. Eight minutes earlier, Dominik Szoboszlai fired a shot from outside the area that hit the post.
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