Liverpool 1 Chelsea 1 – Mignolet redeems himself to help us obtain a draw after his laughable mess up nearly costs us another defeat.

Blog by dedlfc (David Douglas)

Pre match news:

With the disastrous month of January almost over we now had to face the clear leaders to see 1)if we could stay in the title race, 2)see if we can stay in the battle for the top 4 or 3)just give up on our season. The big team news was the appearance on the bench of Sadio Mane after his return from the African Nations Cup.

Our manager Jürgen Klopp promised an overdue big performance after a totally miserable week of results, but ultimately Chelsea had the better result and night all round.

We enjoyed the vast majority of possession as we benefited from facing a team who, unlike most who come to Anfield, were not intent on shutting up shop.

Despite like the previous games in January dominating possession we only had one shot on target from Wijnaldum which was pushed away by Courtois after 12 minutes, we therefore are currently toothless going forward and again were sucker punched predictably after 24 minutes.

Referee Mark Clattenburg awarded a debatable free kick for Adam Lallana's challenge on Eden Hazard, but while we were still debating it Luiz needed no further encouragement and produced his unique Ronaldo-esque way of taking free kicks.

Mignolet, trying to organise his defence, was not even looking at the centre-back when the ball was struck. Although it is unlikely he would have been able to stop the dipping shot that went in off the post, he needed to at least give himself a chance.

Same old story of the month of January dominating possession but again going behind and it nearly became a second goal from another Chelsea free kick this time from Wiliam. Mignolet, did manage to get a hand to the free-kick which almost picked out Luiz having flown through a crowd of players.

Soon afterwards, the sight of substitute Sadio Mane, back from the African Nations Cup just over 24 hours earlier, sitting on the bench with an ice pack on his left knee was not what we needed to see.

But our start to the second half was more like what was required, with a good move involving Wijnaldum, Lallana and Clyne spoiled by Roberto Firmino rushing his first-time shot and scooping it over. Oh for a top level striker up front !!!

Victor Moses had a chance to put the result to bed moments later after James Milner's half-tackle but this time the post was not of any assistance to Chelsea with Mignolet scrambling across his near post.

Then it was Conte's side who were made to pay as Jordan Henderson's curling ball to the far post caught Moses napping and Milner headed back across goal for Wijnaldum to head in from six yards. Another vital goal for Wijnaldum against the big teams in the league after his winning goal vs Man City on the 31^st December.

Mane's arrival off the bench ramped up expectation levels for home fans, but before he could get into the game we had a major escape. Joel Matip brought down Diego Costa, trying to cover for Lovren, only for Mignolet to redeem himself with a good low penalty save to his right from the Spain international.

Firmino had the chance to snatch a win in added-time but planted his header with not enough power straight at Courtois. Big chance missed and another confirmation that a striker of some note needs to be brought into the squad in the summer.

Man-of-the-Match: Adam Lallana – Set the agenda for the return of the gen-press to our midfield – this needs to now be the way we play for the last 15 league games.

LIVERPOOL (4-3-3): Mignolet, Clyne, Matip, Lovren, Milner, Wijnaldum, Henderson, Can, Lallana (Origi 90mins), Firmino, Coutinho (Mane 75)

Subs not used: Karius, Sturridge, Klavan, Moreno, Mane, Lucas

Goal: Wijnaldum 57

Booked: Henderson, Milner  

CHELSEA (3-4-3): Courtois, Azpilicueta, Luiz, Cahill, Moses, Matic, Kante, Alonso, Willian (Fabregas 83), Costa, Hazard (Pedro 72)

Subs not used: Begovic, Zouma, Pedro, Batshuayi, Terry, Chalobah 

Goal: Luiz 24

Booked: Willian  

Referee: Mark Clattenburg

Attendance: 53,157

The Premier League leaders left with a point, which could have been three had Diego Costa not missed that penalty, but results elsewhere improved their evening and the way Antonio Conte celebrated at the final whistle suggested he was delighted.

Arsenal's defeat by Watford and Tottenham's two dropped points at Sunderland meant even a 1-1 draw against Liverpool strengthened Chelsea's position at the top.

Chelsea's advantage is now nine points, while for us a fourth successive home defeat for only the second time in their history was avoided -- and deservedly so.

Our season may be back up and running for a challenge for the top 4, but unfortunately, Chelsea still appear to be running away with the title.

We now face a tough game away to Hull which we need to start our February off on a winning note as we only have three league games to play this month and now no cup games left this season.