Liverpool continued their perfect start to the Premier League season in the most arduous circumstances at Stamford Bridge, as they pipped Chelsea by 2-1 to go five points clear at the top of the table.
They have swept five teams aside already, but it wasn't plain sailing for Jurgen Klopp's men against the Blues
Trent Alexander-Arnold and Roberto Firmino gave the Reds a two-goal cushion inside the first half, but Chelsea, despite losing two of their players due to injury and seeing a goal ruled out due to VAR, fought back valiantly and pushed the visitors to their maximum limits.
Nonetheless, Liverpool ensured a 15th straight win in the Premier League, and on that note, we analyze the major talking points from the enthralling contest.
The visitors looked the sharper side in terms of precision and craft early on, although there was not much to separate the two. The likes of Mohamed Salah, Jordan Henderson and Roberto Firmino were however, finding passes against the Chelsea press with comparative ease
The Liverpool pressure paid off in the 14th minute as Salah and Alexander-Arnold completed a brilliantly worked free-kick. The latter rocketed one into the right top corner, leaving Kepa with absolutely no chance.
The Blues responded with purpose, running at pace in the final third and winning three corners in quick succession. The ball on one occasion, ricochet off a few red shirts before falling kindly for Cesar Azpilicueta, who slotted in the first goal to claw his side back.
VAR intervened, much like it has done this season, to deny the hosts a quintessential leveller due to Mount bring positioned in an offside zone.
Roberto Firmino capitalized on poor zonal defending to head the second for Liverpool, just after the league leaders were in the hindsight of parity.
In the simplest of terms, Lampard has not been helped by repeated injuries in his first season in charge at Stamford Bridge. Constant chopping and changing of his side has perhaps, not gone too well for his side's momentum.
He was forced to make a couple of changes even before half time. Emerson, who had just returned to the starting XI, was replaced by Alonso after a quarter of an hour. Further, Kurt Zouma came in for Andreas Christensen.
Now, time and time again, we've seen Alonso commit horrendous errors defensively. Chelsea should have learnt their lessons while knocking down set pieces, but alas, the Spaniard was again the guilty party.
Chelsea clearly started the second half with far more conviction and most significantly, a direct approach. Lampard and co. committed more bodies in the press, sometimes even throwing on eight players in the attacking third.
In contrast to Liverpool's five, Chelsea launched 10 efforts on goal. Indeed, the second of the 10 shots on target resulted in a goal.
Kante drove forward with the ball, turned and beat a couple of challenges before drilling a sublime strike into the top corner.
Chelsea definitely deserved the first goal and perhaps, another for their inspirational second half display.