Liverpool v Chelsea: Matchday blog
Liverpool were held to a 1-1 draw by Chelsea in the Premier League clash at Anfield after Willian's cross-turned-shot cancelled out Mohamed Salah's opener.
Klopp: I'm happy with the performance, but not the result
Click here to read Jürgen's post-match verdict in full
That's it from the boss. Stay tuned for a full transcript of his press conference.
JK: "Our position [in the table] is still OK - we have to improve, we can do better, but the boys did well. A performance like tonight should not be taken for granted."
JK: "Everything was good until Willian crossed the ball! Most parts of the game were good, but it doesn't feel too good... I can live with a point against Chelsea [though]."
Jürgen Klopp in his post-match press conference
"Very intense game, very difficult for us against a very strong Chelsea team with quite a different approach tonight. Deep defending then giving the ball to Eden Hazard - wow! It's not the easiest job to defend him," says the boss.
Full Time
Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea
All over at Anfield and Liverpool are forced to settle for a point.
Fans were treated to an end-to-end, even game here but the nature of the visitors' goal is sure to frustrate Klopp and co.
Salah controls the ball at the edge of the box and goes for the corner... but Courtois keeps it out.
Three minutes to be added on.
Substitution
A double change for the Reds.
Coutinho makes way for Lallana, while Oxlade-Chamberlain is replaced by Mane.
Goal
Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea (Willian)
It had been coming, but there's an element of fortune when it does.
Willian attempts to stand a cross up to the back post but it instead loops up into the far corner.
It's that time of the game where the subs are coming thick and fast.
Now Zappacosta off for Willian.
Match shot
Delight at the Kop end.
Substitution
Another change for Chelsea, Bakayoko replaced by Pedro.
Substitution
Cesc Fabregas on for Chelsea, with Danny Drinkwater making way.
The visitors are starting to get joy down the flanks here, slinging crosses into the Liverpool box. Still a long way to go for Klopp's team.
Substitution
Georginio Wijnaldum enters the fray, replacing Daniel Sturridge.
Goal
Liverpool 1-0 Chelsea (Salah)
Who else?
Coutinho has the Chelsea defence back-pedalling and just about gets the ball to Oxlade-Chamberlain at the edge of the area.
The Englishman's poke is perfect for the onrushing Salah, who finishes the one-on-one right-footed to put the Reds in front.
Huge chance for Chelsea as a cross from the right reaches Morata in the box.
Mercifully, the ball bounces off the Spaniard to safety.
Claims of handball in the Chelsea box when a Sturridge cross is cut out.
Cahill does touch it, but it would have been a harsh decision in truth.
Space opens up in front of Jordan Henderson but his shot from distance doesn't trouble Courtois.
This is still really cagey.
Sturridge clips what appears to be a harmless low ball across the box but Courtois pushes it into his own goal.
Liverpool would have taken that one nestling in the Kop-end net.
Kick-Off
Chelsea get the second half under way with Liverpool attacking the Kop end this time around.
Match shot
A vital stop from Simon Mignolet in that first half.
The half in numbers
Check out our Opta widget below to see the stats behind the first 45 minutes.
Half Time
Liverpool 0-0 Chelsea
Plenty of chances but no goals in the first half at Anfield.
The visitors have been content to sit deep with a bank of five protected by a bank of three but they have threatened through set-pieces and breaks.
Still, the Reds have plenty on the bench here should they need reinforcements.
That's close.
Salah fends off Cahill and evades Kante but his curler for the far post bounces agonisingly wide.
Chelsea work it through the Liverpool midfield and pick out Zappacosta on the right of the box.
His pull-back is cut out by Henderson but the Reds living dangerously as Morata nods another corner over.
Match shot
Klavan chases the ball down with Morata for company.
The Reds get into the Chelsea box on two occasions in quick succession but can't get shots away against a massed defence.
This is an even contest so far.
Pinball in the Liverpool box after a corner but somehow the Reds get it away.
Chelsea's biggest threat so far has come from errors from the hosts and set-pieces - Klopp won't want his side handing a lead to the visitors that way.
Hazard gets one-on-one on the left wing and jinks inside before cracking a shot off.
Thankfully, Mignolet is equal to it and gets down to his right to push the ball away from danger.
Oxlade-Chamberlain charges up the left-hand side and fires a pass toward Sturridge just outside the box.
The striker can't control but the ball falls to Milner - unfortunately, he skews an attempt wide.
Sturridge controls a ball chipped into space and lays it off to Salah, whose shot from the edge of the area flies over.
Chelsea not giving much away at the moment as they sit deep with a bank of five at the back.
Liverpool defend a corner and almost break away through Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
The move breaks down but the home fans are still encouraged by what they've seen and voice their approval.
Kick-Off
Liverpool get us under way and are attacking the Anfield Road end first half.
Here they come
The players head out of the tunnel and there is a raucous inside Anfield as we approach kick-off.
The crowd is well up for this one.
Klopp explains changes
Jürgen Klopp has outlined his reasons for making five changes to Liverpool's line-up against Chelsea today. You can see what he had to say here.
The Reds arriving and looking (Hugo) Boss...
Inside the dressing room...
The Reds
CONFIRMED TEAM NEWS
Jürgen Klopp has made five changes to his starting line-up, while Adam Lallana returns to the squad as a substitute.
Simon Mignolet, Joel Matip, James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Daniel Sturridge come in for Loris Karius, Dejan Lovren, Gini Wijnaldum, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino.
Karius, Wijnaldum, Mane and Firmino are all on the bench, but Lovren and Emre Can miss out due to injury.
Team in full: Mignolet, Gomez, Matip, Klavan, Moreno, Henderson, Milner, Coutinho, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Salah, Sturridge.
Subs: Karius, Robertson, Alexander-Arnold, Wijnaldum, Lallana, Mane, Firmino.
Reds supporting Rainbow Laces
Jürgen Klopp's laces today will be rainbow coloured - in support of the Stonewall charity's campaign.
The Rainbow Laces initative, which runs from November 24 to December 3, will see national teams, leading clubs, top athletes, fans and grassroots players from across sport show their support for the LGBT community. It aims to make sport everyone's game and ensure that LGBT people feel welcome and included.
Click here for more details.
...and it's off to the match I go...
Anfield is ready...
Shouting the odds...
Herwe are the latest odds, courtesy of Bet Victor:
Liverpool - 11/10
Draw - 11/4
Chelsea - 5/2
Fancy a flutter? Click here to place a bet.
'We need everyone to be ready and greedy'
The season has entered its busiest period - and Jürgen Klopp has called on his squad to be prepared to meet the challenges ahead.
"This period - between now and the start of 2018 - is a time when every single player who is available for selection has to be ready at all times. I know our guys will be - I have no doubt," the boss writes in today's matchday programme.
Pick up your copy of 'This is Anfield' at the stadium this afternoon, or subscribe online by clicking here.
Briefly turning attention away from matters at hand at Anfield: Happy birthday Xabi!
The Spanish pass master made 210 appearances for the Reds - and, quite astonishingly, 20 of those were against Chelsea!
The view from Antonio Conte...
The Chelsea boss had some kind words about the Reds and Jürgen Klopp in his pre-match press conference on Friday.
"I think Liverpool are a really good and strong team," Conte said.
"They have a good coach, a good identity and great organisation, especially offensively they are very dangerous so we must pay great attention."
On Klopp specifically, Conte continued: "I think we like to live the game with intensity and passion and to be on the touchline to help our players.
"It's very difficult for us to not show this passion and for me, it's very difficult to stay seated to watch the game.
"I consider him one of the best coaches in the world."
Mo Salah doesn't count...
Ahead of today's match, we've picked out 10 of the best players to feature for both Liverpool and Chelsea (excluding current players, so Mo Salah doesn't count!).
Nicolas Anelka is one, but can you name nine more? Click here to find out who else made the cut!
Coutinho exclusive
We caught up with Phil Coutinho at Melwood earlier this week.
Watch the video below to hear our No.10's thoughts on playing with Mo Salah and the challenges of trying to beat Chelsea...
Weather
Speaking of freezing...
It's cold in Liverpool this morning. Really, really cold.
Coats, hats, scarves and gloves are essential for those coming to Anfield later!
Take a look at how the Reds warmed up for Chelsea at a freezing Melwood this week in our exclusive 'Inside Training' video below...
Jürgen Klopp discussed topics including Mo Salah, Alberto Moreno and the fitness of Joel Matip, Adam Lallana and Emre Can during his press conference at Melwood yesterday.
Watch the boss' media briefing in full below...
Good morning and welcome to Liverpoolfc.com's live matchday blog.
The Reds host Chelsea in the Premier League this afternoon knowing that a win would put them level on points with the Blues, who begin the day in third place.
Take a look at how the two teams compare with the Opta widgets below...