Liverpool and Chelsea played out a tense 1-1 draw in the 36th round of the Premier League, with both sides still heavily focused on securing qualification for next season’s UEFA Champions League.

The hosts made the perfect start at Anfield. Just six minutes into the contest, Rio Ngumoha laid the ball off to Ryan Gravenberch, who unleashed a superb strike from the edge of the penalty area into the far corner to give Liverpool an early advantage.

Only minutes later, captain Virgil van Dijk had a golden opportunity to double the lead. The Dutch defender met the ball inside the box but fired narrowly wide — perhaps proving once again that he is far more dangerous in the air than with his feet.

After surviving the early pressure, Chelsea gradually grew into the game and eventually found an equaliser in the 35th minute. Enzo Fernández delivered a dangerous free-kick into the area, and with no player getting a touch, the ball bounced off the post and into the net, catching everyone by surprise.

The second half produced even more drama. Goals from Cole Palmer and Curtis Jones were both ruled out for offside, while the woodwork twice came to Chelsea’s rescue. Dominik Szoboszlai struck the post before Virgil van Dijk thundered an effort against the crossbar.

In the end, the draw did little to satisfy either side. Liverpool still maintain a seven-point cushion over sixth-placed Bournemouth in the race for Champions League football, while Chelsea remain three points behind the final qualification positions with only a handful of matches left to play.

2025-26, England - Premier League

Liverpool - Chelsea 1:1 (1:1)
Goals: Gravenberch R., 6 (1:0); Fernandez E., 35 (1:1)

Liverpool: Mamardashvili; van Dijk; Konate (Gomez, 77); Kerkez M.; Frimpong J.; Szoboszlai; Mac Allister A.; Jones Cur.; Gravenberch R.; Ngumoha (Isak, 67); Gakpo (Chiesa F., 77)
Substitution: Isak (from 67); Gomez (from 77); Chiesa F. (from 77)
Bench: Woodman; Robertson A.; Nyoni; Morrison K.
Yellow Cards: Gomez 88; Mac Allister A. 90

Chelsea: Jörgensen F.; Colwill; Hato; Gusto; Fofana W.; Cucurella; Fernandez E.; Palmer Co.; Andrey Santos (James R., 63); Caicedo M.; João Pedro
Substitution: James R. (from 63)
Bench: Slonina; Adarabioyo; Chalobah; Acheampong J. K.; Lavia; Delap
Yellow Cards: Hato 67; Fernandez E. 73; Cucurella 83; Caicedo M. 89