Klopp call answered with morale boosting show of energy and purpose

His pre-match rallying cry amounted to 'save our season' and the message got through as Liverpool stopped the rot on a pulsating night at Anfield.

This time Klopp's shattered players departed with appreciate applause rather than brickbats ringing in their ears.

It was far from a stellar performance as the spoils were shared but it still represented a big step forward after the damaging setbacks of recent weeks.

The nightmare scenario of Chelsea inflicting a fourth successive home defeat on the Reds for the first time in 94 years was avoided.

It was a morale-boosting end to a punishing month as Liverpool played with an energy and a purpose that's been so sadly lacking throughout their January blues.

This was a gutsy display to give Kopites genuine hope that something can still be salvaged from a campaign which had gone alarmingly off the rails.

A precious point against the leaders on a night when Arsenal were beaten at home by Watford and Tottenham only drew at Sunderland leaves the Reds fourth and only a point adrift of second place.

Catching Chelsea may not be realistic over the months ahead but this spirited response will fuel Klopp's belief in Liverpool's ability to hold on to a Champions League spot, especially with Sadio Mane back on club duty following the Africa Cup of Nations and the injury situation clearing up.

With just three games in the whole of February, the manager will get the training time he craves as he looks to rekindle the fluency and the swagger Liverpool played with in the autumn.

It was a rollercoaster night as the Reds failed to make the most of their flying start and were punished by David Luiz's quickly taken free-kick.

To their credit, Liverpool didn't fold. They dug deep and deservedly levelled in the second half courtesy of Gini Wijnaldum's third goal of the season.

Defensive deficiencies once again threatened to cost them dear but Simon Mignolet stood tall – producing a stunning penalty save to deny Diego Costa a winner.

'Unity is strength', read the giant banner in the Kop before kick-off and there was no hint of negativity around the place with the atmosphere crackling.

Boosted by the fact that Nathaniel Clyne was passed fit to start at right-back, Liverpool flew out of the traps.

There was a tempo and an intensity to the Reds' play which has been absent of late. Chelsea simply weren't allowed to settle as Klopp's men were combative and in their faces. Liverpool hassled and harried them into making mistakes.

Adam Lallana set the tone, pressing like his life depended on it and others followed his lead.

Emre Can thundered into challenges and moving the ball quicker as there was a real purpose to Liverpool's work.

It wasn't easy to create opportunities. Chelsea's wing-backs were so deep, the Reds were essentially up against a back five with Nemanja Matic and N'Golo Kante providing further protection.

Wijnaldum's sweetly struck 20-yarder finally forced a sprawling save from Thibaut Courtois.

Klopp continued to applaud on the touchline. Nobody could question the endeavour on the field.

When Antonio Conte kicked the ball away to prevent Liverpool from taking a throw-in quickly, it was another sign that the leaders were rattled.

But from a position of control, lapses in concentration started to creep in.

Joel Matip endured a poor night and his sloppy pass gave Chelsea the chance to counter dangerously as James Milner did well to thwart Victor Moses.

There was no let-off on 24 minutes after Lallana had barged into Eden Hazard 25 yards out.

Liverpool were caught napping, Mignolet still organising his defensive wall as Luiz stepped up to slam home a free-kick which cannoned in off the inside of the post.

Briefly, the mood changed. When groans accompanied the sight of Wijnaldum playing it sideways, a furious Klopp turned to the fans behind him in the Main Stand and vented his spleen.

Matip continued to look shaky and Mignolet had to be alert to keep out Willian's free-kick.

Liverpool had their moments before the interval but nothing fell for them. Courtois flapped at Milner's corner and the ball struck Matip before Matic hacked to safety.

Firmino then somehow failed to connect when he rose to meet Coutinho's inviting centre.

The early stages of the second half brought more frustration for the Reds.

After Lallana's classy backheel released Clyne, the ball ricocheted kindly into the path of Firmino. The Brazilian had time to steady himself but blazed high and wide.

The erratic Dejan Lovren deciding to take pot shots from 40 yards didn't help matters and Milner was relieved to see Moses clip the outside of the post after losing out to him inside the penalty box.

Liverpool were crying out for inspiration and finally it arrived just before the hour mark.

Captain Jordan Henderson, who was immense in the second half, clipped a quality delivery towards the far post and Milner nodded intelligently back across goal.

A deflection off Moses ensured it dropped perfectly for Wijnaldum, who nodded past Courtois from six yards out.

Anfield erupted. All the anxiety evaporated. Buoyed by the equaliser, Liverpool pressed on in search of greater reward.

Can took an extra touch when he should have pulled the trigger and was shut down by Alonso.

With 15 minutes to go Klopp played his ace with Mane granted a rapturous ovation on his Anfield return as he replaced Coutinho.

However, within seconds Liverpool's two centre-backs pressed the self-destruct button.

First, Lovren jumped in and committed himself, leaving the Reds exposed. Costa raced through and as he turned inside, Matip brought him down.

All that hard graft looked set to be vain but Mignolet came to the rescue, diving full length to his right to brilliantly keep out Costa's spot-kick.

There were further scares as Liverpool ran out of gas and Chelsea finished the stronger. Henderson producing a goal-saving last-ditch tackle on substitute Pedro, who then fired narrowly wide.

Firmino could have won it at the death but nodded straight at Courtois.

Only a draw but here were some much needed green shoots of recovery.

Source: Liverpool Echo

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