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AS IT HAPPENED

As it happened: Chelsea v Liverpool, Premier League

Chelsea took on Liverpool, in a big game for both sides.

Hello, and welcome to today’s liveblog.

As always, we’d love to hear your thoughts on the game. E-mail paul@the42.ie, tweet @the42_ie, post a message to our Facebook wall, or leave a comment below.

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Here are today’s teams…

Rio Ferdinand makes a good point on BT Sport.

Chelsea’s spine has been deeply problematic this season — the goalkeeper is injured, the defenders don’t know if they’ll be playing, the midfielders have been dropped today, and Diego Costa hasn’t been scoring.

The two pre-match BT Sport interviews between Klopp and Mourinho could not have been more contrasting.

Mourinho was sombre and somewhat monosyllabic, while Klopp was upbeat and jokey.

We’re underway…

CHELSEA 1-0 LIVERPOOL (RAMIRES 4)

It’s the perfect start for Chelsea!

Azpilicueta finds space down the left and crosses to find Ramires. The Brazilian produces a strong downward header to give the hosts the advantage.

Chants of Jose Mourinho ring around Stamford Bridge.

Willian’s free kick is headed down by Zouma, with Terry’s subsequent attempt going just wide.

Zouma was flagged offside anyway, but there’s a definite sense that Liverpool are really under the cosh here.

So much for Chelsea being ‘defensive’…

The majority of Chelsea fans are still firmly behind Mourinho on today’s evidence.

Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Chelsea v Liverpool - Stamford Bridge PA Wire / PA Images PA Wire / PA Images / PA Images

Chelsea have just conceded possession twice in their final third in quick succession.

The latest attack ends with Clyne’s deflected shot going well wide, but it’s a warning for Chelsea nonetheless.

Decent effort from Lallana. He hits a shot on the turn that Begovic ultimately saves relatively comfortably.

Liverpool have come in to this game a bit more in the last few minutes.

Terry has to make a good tackle to stop Firmino running through on goal.

Chelsea are playing like an away team at the moment, with Liverpool dominating possession.

Coutinho has just been booked for cynically taking down Willian.

Might be considered a little harsh, considering it’s so early in the game and the match has been played in a relatively good spirit so far.

Poor Milner!

Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Chelsea v Liverpool - Stamford Bridge PA Wire / PA Images PA Wire / PA Images / PA Images

Frank Lampard is at Stamford Bridge today.

The game’s hit a bit of a lull in the last few minutes.

Liverpool’s lack of creativity in attack is apparent again — they’ve yet to create a clear- cut chance.

Decent cross in from Milner.

Lucas leaps above Zouma, but his header is straight at Begovic.

Jamie Carragher is in no doubt about who was at fault for Chelsea’s goal.

Excellent play from Willian. He beats two players before being taken down by Can.

That’s a snapshot of why Mourinho picks him so often, despite having more eye-catching players at his disposal.

Hazard just threatened to open up Liverpool there.

He plays a through pass just too heavy for Costa to latch on to.

Chelsea 1-1 Liverpool (Coutinho 47)

On the brink of half-time, Coutinho curls an unstoppable shot in to the corner of the net.

Brilliant play from the Brazilian!

HALF-TIME: CHELSEA 1-1 LIVERPOOL

Nothing like a moment of genius to completely change the perception of a game.

Chelsea started well, and capitalised in typically ruthless fashion, with Ramires heading them into an early lead.

However, since then, the Londoners have been far too passive, allowing Liverpool to dominate possession.

The Reds have created few chances and were struggling to break down the Blues’ stubborn rearguard until the goal, which Coutinho took extremely well.

There was an illuminating shot of Mourinho, seeming to grimace, as the Brazilian’s effort found the back of the net.

No doubt the Special One will note the extra additional time played at the end of this half if Chelsea don’t go on to win this match.

The second half has begun…

Chelsea have made a slight tactical switch for the second half.

Oscar is now playing behind Costa, while Hazard has moved to the left.

Liverpool again look the brighter of the two sides so far in the second period — they’re passing the ball much better.

Might be sooner rather than later that we see Benteke also.

Bit of nervousness evident in the Chelsea defence.

Cahill tries to head it back to Begovic, but instead, he puts it out for a corner.

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Mourinho’s reaction to Liverpool’s goal earlier.

The plot thickens.

Eden Hazard has controversially been replaced by 19-year-old Kenedy with less than an hour played.

Costa has kicked Skrtel in the chest off the ball.

The defender didn’t make too much of it, but there could be more retrospective action taken against the Spain international.

Liverpool are still on top, and ominously for Chelsea, Benteke has replaced Milner.

The Liverpool captain does not look too happy about being taken off.

Howard Webb, speaking on BT Sport, says it was a “clear red card” for Diego Costa.

Something tells me we haven’t heard the last of this incident.

Meanwhile, Cesc Fabregas is about to come on for Chelsea.

Jose Mourinho is furious, as the referee lets off Lucas — who is already on a booking — for a cynical challenge.

Despite Chelsea players surrounding him, the referee doesn’t produce a card.

Mourinho makes an attacking substitution, as Fabregas replaces Mikel.

The Chelsea boss theatrically applauded the decision not to send off Lucas.

Oscar has almost scored a wonder goal.

The Brazilian’s shot from 45 yards is palmed away by Mignolet for a corner.

LIVERPOOL 2-1 CHELSEA (COUTINHO 73)

Coutinho does it again.

His shot on the edge of the box deflects off Terry and loops into the net.

Is this the end for Chelsea?

Moreno sprints through on goal and forces Begovic to make a good save.

Meanwhile, Ibe has replaced Firmino.

Ibe beats his man and his shot is deflected just wide.

Chelsea are really living on the edge here.

LIVERPOOL 3-1 CHELSEA (BENTEKE 82)

Ibe passes to Benteke, who takes his time on the edge of the box.

The striker’s shot deflects in — this time off Gary Cahill.

That’s game, set and match for Liverpool.

“His legs have gone, he looks like an old man in there.”

Trevor Francis is not impressed with John Terry’s performance today.

Only Liverpool supporters can be heard now at Stamford Bridge, with many home fans having left already.

Mourinho will inevitably have an excuse, but there is no doubt Liverpool are well worth their victory.

Zouma has just woefully overhit a cross that has gone out for a throw-in.

Chelsea’s morale has just been completely sapped in the last 20 minutes.

FULL-TIME: CHELSEA 1-3 LIVERPOOL

Rio Ferdinand says Chelsea have been “absolutely dismantled”.

Harry Redknapp adds that he thinks Mourinho will keep his job.

So that’s that.

Bad decisions went against both sides, but in the end, Liverpool dominated possession and were well worth the three points, taking their chances well against a Chelsea team that look increasingly short of morale as the game wore on.

Chelsea currently sit 15th in the table, three points ahead of Bournemouth, who have a game in hand on them.

Right, that’s all from me for now.

Thanks for reading and commenting — we’ll have more reaction to follow.

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