After six successive defeats in the EPL, Chelsea had to get something out of its trip to Anfield if it intends on securing European football next season.

Last season, Liverpool won the EPL in spectacular fashion. This season has been dismal and a Champions League spot is yet to be made certain.

Both teams had a point to prove at Anfield. 

It looked like the same old story for Chelsea when Ryan Gravenberch opened the scoring for Liverpool with a curling shot from outside the box.

Chelsea’s head didn’t go down. The players rolled up their sleeves and got stuck in playing with verve and purpose not seen in many games this year.

Fernandez evened the score in the 35th minute from a free kick, and one couldn’t tell how this game would finish up.

Chelsea’s Cole Palmer had a goal disallowed ad Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk hit the crossbar with a header in the second half.

All in all, it was a well-earned point between these two giants who have seen better seasons.

Liverpool is in fourth spot with 59 points, and Chelsea, 10 points back, are in ninth position with 49 points. 

It has been a chaotic season for Chelsea, with it going through three coaches in a matter of months. First it was the Italian Enzo Maresca, then the much-touted Liam Rosenior, and now it is the interim Calum McFarlane for the remainder of this season.

Next Saturday, Chelsea face off against Manchester City in the FA  Cup Final and it can draw heart from its performance at Anfield today.

With all the money and resources available, Chelsea is unable to return to its glory days and put together a formidable team. Since Clearlake Capital and Todd Boehly bought Chelsea in 2022, the club has spent over 20 billion pounds on transfers. Its 2024 squad was the most expensive ever assembled in club football history. 

Fans, football writers and others are calling for the return of Chelsea’s most successful coach Jose Mourinho. If Chelsea wants that swagger, that winning mentality, a return to the glory days, who better than the Portuguese legend? Some say he is too old and past it, the game has moved on from those heady days. It may be a winning formula to pair Mourinho with his former captain John Terry, thus creating a dynamic coaching team. 

Former Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole believes Mourinho is exactly what Chelsea needs and rather than see him return to Real Madrid, all should be done to bring him back to Stamford Bridge.

On the subject of Mourinho coming back to Chelsea, the former England defender said: “ The best move the club could make now, a realistic move as well, is to go to Jose Mourinho. Say that this is what we can do, and just let the man take charge of the club. Just say rebuild my club for me, we’re going to step back, and you get us back on track.

“Give him a long contract and tell the players and the fans just to take the transition. Tell the fans, we’ve given you what you want. Jose is in charge of bringing the players in. Jose is in charge of everything so the fans know where they stand and the players know where they stand as a group. And then leave it.

“It’s going to take a few years. But I’m pretty sure in three years, Chelsea will be in a healthier position than they are now. Everyone is thinking he’s finished, but there’s a reason Real Madrid are looking at him.”

Liverpool is looking for a reset and must qualify for the Champions League and rebuild its squad. Can Arne Slot get the fans back on side?

“Yes, I do. Not this season, by the way. This season, they will have their opinion, and it will not change. But if we can have the summer that we are planning to have, then I’m 100 per cent convinced that we will be a different team next season than we are now. Different in terms of results, different in how things look. “