Liverpool and Chelsea shared the spoils in a thrilling 1-1 draw at Anfield, as both teams maintained their unbeaten start to the season. The visitors took the lead in the first half through a superb header by Kai Havertz, but the hosts equalized from the penalty spot just before the break, after Reece James was sent off for handling the ball on the line. The second half saw Liverpool dominate possession and create several chances, but Chelsea defended resolutely and held on for a point.

The match started with a high tempo, as both teams pressed and probed for openings. Chelsea looked more dangerous, and they broke the deadlock in the 22nd minute, when Havertz met James' corner with a looping header that sailed over Alisson and into the far corner. Liverpool responded well, and thought they had leveled in the 36th minute, when Mohamed Salah tapped in from close range, but the goal was ruled out by VAR for a marginal offside.

The game changed dramatically in the dying moments of the first half, when Liverpool were awarded a penalty after a goalmouth scramble. Sadio Mane's shot was blocked by James' arm on the line, and the referee consulted the pitchside monitor before showing the red card to the Chelsea defender and pointing to the spot. Salah stepped up and smashed the ball past Edouard Mendy to make it 1-1.

The second half was a one-sided affair, as Liverpool piled on the pressure and Chelsea dug in deep. The hosts had several opportunities to score, but Mendy was in fine form, denying Virgil van Dijk, Fabinho and Andrew Robertson with some brilliant saves. Chelsea also had a couple of chances on the break, but Romelu Lukaku was well marshaled by Joel Matip and could not find the net.

The final whistle blew with the scoreline unchanged, as both teams settled for a draw that keeps them level on points at the top of the table. It was a game of two halves, with Chelsea showing their quality in the first half and Liverpool their resilience in the second. Both teams will feel they could have won, but also that they did not lose. It was a classic encounter between two title contenders, and a fitting spectacle for the Premier League. ¹²³⁴⁵