A late Willian goal denied Liverpool maximum points against Chelsea.

Mohamed Salah came closest to firing the Reds ahead in the first half with a curled effort while Eden Hazard forced Simon Mignolet into a smart save.

The Egyptian would open the scoring against his former club after the interval, sliding the ball past Thibaut Courtois for his 15th goal of the season.

That strike would not be enough, however, as substitute Willian’s late equaliser, just 144 seconds after coming on, earned the champions a point.

Here were the key talking points from Anfield:

Redemption for Salah but no revenge

 

Mohammed Salah will have been determined to prove a point to his former employers Chelsea on their visit to Merseyside and that is exactly what he did.

The Egyptian was barely given a chance to impress during his time at Stamford Bridge before being unceremoniously shipped off to Serie A.

That is a move the Premier League champions will likely end up regretting for a number of years to come on the strength of his first three months back.

While not a vintage display, the forward was a menace to his former employers throughout and was in the right place at the right time again.

His 10th Premier League goal and 15th in all competitions shows Liverpool’s decision to spend big continues to look like an outstanding piece of business.

Nobody is calling him a Chelsea reject these days…

Home comforts still going strong

 

Much has been made about the quality, or lack of it, in Liverpool’s defence.

Indeed, the issue was brought into focus again earlier this week as a result of their second half Champions League capitulation against Sevilla.

However, what has been often overlooked is just how good that often-maligned defence has proven to be in front of the Anfield crowd.

Willian’s fluke goal was just the second they’ve conceded at home in the league this season, a stark contrast to the 12 in just six games on the road.

The last time they had done so was the 1-1 draw with Burnley in September.

If Jurgen Klopp can find a way to galvanise his defence on the road as he clearly does at home, Liverpool will have no issues climbing the table.

Chamberlain can’t replace Mane yet

 

Nobody at Liverpool would admit it openly, but Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is firmly playing understudy to both Salah and Sadio Mane this season.

When the pair are fully fit, the £35 million summer arrival is almost guaranteed to find himself sitting on the substitutes’ bench.

With Mane left out of the starting eleven for this game, it afforded him a chance to prove why that should not remain the case.

Unfortunately for him, he was unable to seize the opportunity as, just like Salah, he was controlled by the Chelsea backline throughout.

Oxlade-Chamberlain lacks the sheer power and pace Mane boasts at his disposal.

Until he can find a way of having a greater influence, he will continue to find himself behind Mane in the pecking order.

Reds midfield miss Gini link

 

Although not the most talented, or indeed flashiest of Liverpool’s midfielders, Georginio Wijnaldum is still a key cog in the machine.

The Dutchman provides the energy and drive in the middle of the park that is often a catalyst to the likes of Philippe Coutinho shining.

Without him, the Reds looked somewhat sluggish in periods of this game, with Jordan Henderson and James Milner unable to make up for his absence.

If Liverpool are to build on this result and continue to climb up the table, they will need to keep Wijnaldum fit and ready to start as often as possible.