Premier League: Chelsea stop losing streak but Champions League hopes suffer after Liverpool draw

Chelsea ended their miserable Premier League losing run after battling to a 1-1 draw against Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday.

Despite securing a point, Chelsea’s fading hopes of qualifying for next season’s Champions League suffered another setback as Calum McFarlane’s side failed to claim the victory they desperately needed.

Fernandez rescues Chelsea after early setback

Chelsea once again endured a poor start after Ryan Gravenberch fired Liverpool ahead with a superb curling strike from distance.

The hosts nearly doubled their advantage moments later, but Virgil van Dijk wasted a huge opportunity after being left unmarked at the back post.

Chelsea gradually improved as the first half progressed, with Marc Cucurella forcing a save from Giorgi Mamardashvili after breaking behind Liverpool’s defence.

The equaliser eventually arrived through Enzo Fernandez, whose low free-kick found the bottom corner after Wesley Fofana’s movement distracted the Liverpool goalkeeper.

VAR drama and missed chances

Fernandez remained Chelsea’s biggest attacking threat and nearly added a second before half-time.

After the break, Cole Palmer thought he had completed the comeback, only for the goal to be ruled out after Cucurella was judged offside in the build-up.

Liverpool responded strongly afterwards.

Curtis Jones also had a goal disallowed, while Dominik Szoboszlai struck the post after being denied earlier by Filip Jorgensen.

Van Dijk also came close to winning it late on when his powerful header crashed against the crossbar.

Chelsea still facing uphill battle

While the draw finally halted Chelsea’s losing streak, it does little to ease the pressure surrounding the club’s disappointing season.

The Blues remain outside the Champions League qualification places and are running out of matches to revive their top-six ambitions.

For Liverpool and Arne Slot, the result represented another frustrating afternoon after dominating large spells without finding a decisive winner.