Chelsea 2-1 Liverpool: Premier League Player Ratings

by Jamie Clark

Liverpool topped the Premier League table on Christmas Day, but a second successive away defeat €“ this time at Chelsea €“ saw them slip to fifth. The Blues came back at Stamford Bridge after falling behind to Martin Skrtel's opener.

Eden Hazard and Samuel Eto'o turned things around for Jose Mourinho as the Special One triumphed over his apprentice and Reds boss Brendan Rodgers. A win for Chelsea took them two points behind leaders Arsenal as they remained third behind Manchester City.

Mourinho rotated his squad after beating Swansea City on Boxing Day. Ashley Cole, Juan Mata and John Obi Mikel dropped to the bench whilst Blues midfielder Ramires served a suspension. Fellow Brazilian David Luiz moved into the holding role with compatriot Willian, Frank Lampard, Gary Cahill and Cesar Azpilicueta coming into the XI.

Rodgers made just one alteration to the Liverpool team that lost at City last time out. Aly Cissokho lost his place at left back to Reds vice-captain Daniel Agger. Star striker Luis Suarez faced Chelsea for the first time since picking up a ten-match ban for biting Branislav Ivanovic.

Who caught the eye of the WhatCulture sports team in this clash of Premier League titans? Click next to discover player ratings for both sets of players.

Contributor
Contributor

Jamie Clark is a qualified Web Journalist after undergoing professional training at the University of Sheffield. A prolific and accredited sports writer, he also enjoys classic comedy, historic fiction, 80s music and heritage.