Mateo Kovacic scored a goal of the season contender with a brilliant volley to set off Chelsea’s fightback against Liverpool.
The Blues found themselves 2-0 down at Stamford Bridge when Kovacic sensationally pulled one back.
The start of Chelsea’s fightback…💪
Kovacic got their first goal of the match with an absolute stunner! 🚀 pic.twitter.com/EvhnFEnTHF
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 2, 2022
The Croatian perfectly volleyed home from outside the box after Liverpool keeper Caoimhin Kelleher punched clear from a Marcos Alonso free-kick.
It is only Kovacic’s fourth Chelsea goal since signing in 2018 but will take some beating to ever top.
It was the much-needed break the Blues needed having gone one down after nine minutes following Sadio Mane’s opener.
A mistake from Trevoh Chalobah allowed the forward in on goal and he rounded Mendy before firing in to make it 1-0.
Mo Salah then doubled Liverpool’s lead on 26 minutes after finding space down the right, cutting in and finishing past Mendy.
But within the space of less than five minutes, Chelsea miraculously levelled the scoring.
It has been an entertaining first-half between Chelsea and Liverpool at Stamford Bridge, ending the half with 2-2.
If we thought Liverpool’s draw at Tottenham last month was the game of the season so far, then we surely have a new challenger to the crown.
Liverpool looked to be heading in at the break with a two-goal lead following strikes from Mane and Salah, but – out of nowhere – Chelsea hit back in the final minutes of the first half.
A sensational Kovacic strike followed by a Pulisic leveller has the game all square, and set up for another thrilling 45 minutes.
Thomas Tuchel explained why he left Romelu Lukaku out of the Chelsea squad that takes on Liverpool on Sunday because his explosive interview had become too big of a distraction.
The 28-year-old spoke to Sky Italia three weeks ago, though the interview was only released on Thursday, and revealed he ‘was not very happy’ at Chelsea and accused his manager of ‘playing a different formation’ that does not get the best out of him.
Lukaku also revealed he was hoping to return to former club Inter Milan while he is still in the prime of his career, with his comments causing confusion and anger at Chelsea.
Tuchel has reacted by axing Lukaku from the matchday squad but has suggested this is only a short-term measure to remove the Belgian from a difficult and ‘noisy’ situation.
Asked why Lukaku is not in the squad, Tuchel told Sky Sports, via the Metro, shortly before kick-off: “The thing got too big, the thing got too noisy, so close to the match, so I decided to protect the preparation of the match, so that is why he is out.”
Probed on whether he has spoken to the striker, Tuchel continued: “Yeah. Of course we have spoken, we’ve spoken twice, I’ve spoken to the main players, of course, but after that we had to realise it was too close to the match, it’s too big.
“We delayed the decision over what to do, but while we are delaying we have to protect the preparation of the match.
“We have a big game to play and we need full focus, which is hard to get even without this decision, but it was easier in my opinion if he is not in the squad, and that is why we did it.”
Tuchel added: “For sure it was a difficult decision, but in my opinion it was the decision to take.”
Although Lukaku never had any intention of trying to leave Chelsea when he gave his interview, ESPN report that he could have a change of heart if Tuchel continues to leave him out of the squad and if he is hit with a big fine.
Tuchel said he was confused and bewildered by Lukaku’s interview, feeling that his words were in stark contrast to his behaviour, while he was also perplexed by his remarks about playing with a different formation.
Discussing the situation regarding Lukaku prior to Sunday, Tuchel also told Sky Sports: “I will not try to tell you that we are happy about it. Does a dressing room always need to be a sensitive dressing room? Does it always need to be full of harmony? No. It’s sometimes even good if it’s not always in full harmony.
“But to speak out on these things, as a big player and as a big signing and as a key player for us – who behaves on a daily basis like he is absolutely happy – that is a concern of course, and it is very, very surprising.
“We have to speak to him, he has to speak to us, so we can understand it. Because it is very hard to understand because how he behaves, how he plays, how he scores, even now right after injury, how he behaves on a daily basis, how we have talks with myself… it’s very surprising.”
Asked specifically about the formation comment, Tuchel added: “I don’t know actually! We decided actually not to play a different formation so that’s why it’s a kind of surprise on many levels!”
Romelu Lukaku has discussed his future at Chelsea with his former Everton team-mate Tim Howard after the striker was exiled at Stamford Bridge.
Lukaku was dropped from the Chelsea squad to face Liverpool on Sunday following his controversial interview with Sky Sports Italia.
The 28-year-old said he was ‘not happy’ with his place in the Chelsea first-team during the interview at Stamford Bridge.
Lukaku has reportedly said he cannot talk too much about his situation at the club, claiming it is ‘very hot’ at the moment but revealed another meeting will be held on Monday.
In the interview with Sky Sports Italia, the Belgium international said: “Physically I am fine. But I’m not happy with the situation at Chelsea. Tuchel has chosen to play with another system.
“I won’t give up, I’ll be professional. I am not happy with the situation but I am professional – and I can’t give up now.”
As well as talking up his unhappiness in Tuchel’s system, Lukaku also spoke about the prospect of one day returning to Inter Milan.
He added: “I really, genuinely from the bottom of my heart hope to come back to Inter, not at the end of my career, but while I am still at the level to win more trophies.”
The Belgium international has since been texting with his former team-mate Howard about his Chelsea exile, according to a report from NBC Sport.
“I can’t talk too much about it. It is very hot. There is another meeting on Monday. I have another meeting on Monday, I can talk more after that,” Lukaku told Howard as cited by the Daily Mail.
Earlier this week, Howard, who played alongside Lukaku for three years at Goodison Park, said that his former team-mate was frustrated but explained he was not a ‘venomous character’.
“I think he’s frustrated, absolutely,” the American told NBC Sports, via the Chelsea Chronicle.
“The things happened at Inter, the way he left, the way he had to be sold for them to recoup some money for the club.
“He didn’t get an opportunity to speak to the and the way he wanted to and leave on his own terms.
“Even though when I spoke to him a few weeks ago, he spoke about unfinished business at Chelsea, I think that was also real, but I think it was a brave face to say ‘I’m here now, I have to come back and hopefully win some trophies.”
“But this does seem out of character for him to speak in this way.”
Mauricio Pochettino wants Paris Saint-Germain to sign Conor Gallagher from Chelsea in a £30m transfer deal.
Gallagher has enjoyed a breakthrough season while on loan at Crystal Palace, scoring six goals and making three assists for Patrick Vieira’s side and generally impressing with his energetic and dynamic performances.
Arsenal legend Vieira has praised Gallagher often this season and Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel has also hailed his progress at Selhurst Park.
According to The Sun, as cited by the Metro, Gallagher’s performances have caught the attention of PSG and Pochettino, with the former Tottenham boss urging his bosses to bring the English midfielder to the French capital.
It is claimed PSG believe Chelsea may be willing to sell Gallagher despite his status as one of the most exciting young players in the Premier League.
Gallagher has previously said he intends to return to Stamford Bridge next summer and challenge Chelsea’s current midfielders for a place in the team.
But the opportunity to play alongside the likes of Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar in Paris would surely be too good to turn down.
Reports in England claim Thomas Tuchel is considering dropping Romelu Lukaku for Chelsea’s clash with Liverpool over his shock comments in an interview with Sky Italy last month.
According to the Jacob Steinberg and Matt Law reports, behind the scenes, Tuchel has been angrier than he looked in his press conference.
Tuchel could remove Lukaku from the whole squad after it was judged that he was questioning the manager’s tactics, Kai Havertz is set to replace him if he is dropped.
The German had a face-to-face conversation with Lukaku about his interview and sentences.
It has since emerged that neither the club nor the player’s representatives knew of the interview beforehand. It appears to have been arranged directly with the Sky Sports journalist in London.
In an interview recorded several weeks ago but aired on Thursday, Lukaku admitted he was unhappy with his situation at Stamford Bridge.
“I’m not happy with the situation, this is normal,” Lukaku said at the time. “But I am a worker and I must not give up.”
Lukaku returned to Chelsea over the summer in a £97.5m transfer deal from Italian club Inter Milan.
