Liverpool v Chelsea: Live matchday blog
Gini Wijnaldum's 57th-minute header earned a deserved 1-1 draw for Liverpool after David Luiz had given Chelsea a first-half lead with a dipping, long-range free-kick. Simon Mignolet saved a late penalty from Diego Costa as the Reds halted their three-game losing streak in a frenetic clash at Anfield.
The manager's verdict
Jürgen Klopp has been speaking to the media following Liverpool's 1-1 draw with Chelsea at Anfield.
In his post-match press conference, the boss reflected on the performance of his side, their aims for the rest of the season and Sadio Mane's return.
Klopp: "It was an unbelievably good atmosphere, I have to say."
Klopp: "I'm really fine with the performance and I'm happy that we could give a little sign that we are still part of the league."
Klopp: "In the red shirts we saw readiness, passion, will, greed against experience and coolness [in blue]."
Jürgen Klopp has arrived for his post-match press conference
"I'm happy about the performance. It was obvious we played against a strong, outstanding experienced side."
Full Time
It finishes all square at Anfield after a breathless encounter.
Luiz's free-kick had Chelsea ahead at the break, but Wijnaldum's header shortly before the hour mark equalised for the Reds.
Mignolet saved a Costa penalty late on, before Firmino saw his header stopped by Courtois in injury time.
Substitution
Batshuayi on for Costa
Firmino has a great chance to win it, but he can only head into Courtois' arms from Mane's lofted cross.
Substitution
Divock Origi is on for Lallana
Now Pedro shoots narrowly wide from the edge of the area
A brilliant last-ditch challenge from Jordan Henderson denies Pedro a clear sight of goal.
Substitution
Fabregas comes on for Willian
Courtois collects Mane's cross, which was aimed for Firmino.
Liverpool pressing for a winner...
Mignolet saves Costa's penalty!
The Chelsea striker wins the spot-kick from Joel Matip, but the Reds' keeper guesses correctly and denies him low to his right.
Substitution
And now, to huge cheers, Sadio Mane is on for Liverpool for his first appearance since January 2.
He replaces Coutinho.
Substitution
Hazard is replaced by Pedro for the visitors
Both sides pushing for a second goal here, with Liverpool having most of the ball but Chelsea looking dangerous on the break.
A big last 20 minutes to come...
Celebrations from the goalscorer...
Anfield is rocking now!
An incredible noise is being generated by the home fans. Half an hour to go...
Goal
Equaliser for Liverpool!!!
And it's Gini Wijnaldum who scores it! The Dutchman reacts quickest to nod Milner's header back across goal beyond Courtois.
Game on!
Action shot
Then, at the other end, Moses shoots into the side-netting after dispossessing Milner.
That's Liverpool's best chance of the game.
A superb break ends with a loose ball falling to Firmino in the area, but the Brazilian can only side-foot over.
A good start to the second half from the Reds.
Kick-Off
Chelsea begin the second half. No changes from either manager at the interval.
Half-time odds, courtesy of Bet Victor
Liverpool FC 7/1
Draw 11/4
Chelsea 1/2
To place a bet, click here
Half Time
There's the half-time whistle.
A confident, bright start from Liverpool was punctured by a moment of brilliance from Luiz and Chelsea lead 1-0 at the break.
Willian shoots harmlessly over the bar from distance after a slight lull from what was a ferocious pace to the game early on.
Nathaniel Clyne's low cross is cleared for a corner by Luiz and Coutinho's delivery narrowly evades Roberto Firmino.
Simon Mignolet has to be alert to divert Willian's free-kick delivery wide, before LIverpool go up the other end and win a corner from Emre Can's deep cross.
A good response to going behind from the Reds.
Goal
A harsh free-kick given against Lallana gives David Luiz the chance to strike at goal from 25 yards, and the Brazilian's effort goes in off the post.
Chelsea are seeing slightly more of the ball now, and Victor Moses gets in down their right from Eden Hazard's pass.
The former Red shoots at goal, but James Milner gets across to block. The resulting corner comes to nothing.
Gini Wijnaldum tests Courtois from 20 yards after being fed by Philippe Coutinho, but the Chelsea 'keeper is equal to the Dutchman's powerful effort.
It's Liverpool who are enjoying the lion's share of the ball early on but they're yet to get a clear sight of Thibaut Courtois' goal, despite their patient probing.
The atmosphere is fantastic here and Liverpool are dominating possession in the opening exchanges.
Adam Lallana wins a corner off Nemanja Matic, which comes to nothing.
An excellent start from the home fans and players alike!
Kick-Off
After a brilliantly-noisy rendition of 'You'll Never Walk Alone', Liverpool get us underway.
The Reds are attacking the Kop end in this first half.
Just over five minutes to go until kick-off...
The atmosphere's building nicely here at Anfield and every name on the Liverpool teamsheet is greeted with a hearty roar from the home fans as the players wait in the tunnel.
Free live commentary
Don't forget, if you're not at tonight's game or can't watch it on TV, you can listen to the best LFC commentary around for free on this website.
Click here to access it.
Suited and booted...
A peek inside the LFC dressing room...
Bussing it
The Reds arrive at Anfield in their brand new team bus...
TEAM NEWS
The teamsheets are in at Anfield, and Jürgen Klopp has made nine changes to the Liverpool side that started against Wolves on Saturday.
Only Roberto Firmino and Georginio Wijnaldum retain their places from the weekend, with Nathaniel Clyne - who had been a doubt due to a rib/abdominal problem - among the players brought in by Klopp.
Sadio Mane is named among the Reds’ substitutes after he returned from international duty with Senegal yesterday.
Liverpool: Mignolet, Clyne, Lovren, Matip, Milner, Henderson, Can, Wijnaldum, Lallana, Coutinho, Firmino.
Substitutes: Karius, Klavan, Moreno, Lucas, Mane, Origi, Sturridge.
Anfield under the lights...
...nothing beats it.
Adam Lallana speaks...
The Liverpool midfielder, who has enjoyed a superb season so far at club level and was named England's Player of the Year for 2016 yesterday, is interviewed in tonight's matchday programme...
"I think my form is just down to playing in a team that has been doing well and has been in and around the top four for most of the season. I think if you go through every player in our team they’ve done well," says the Reds' No.20.
"It’s really enjoyable to be involved in the football we try to play: football on the front foot trying to attack, albeit we’ve had a few indifferent results lately. Now it’s all about our reaction and wanting to put this mini-blip to bed as quickly as possible."
There's something that little bit extra special about night games at Anfield...
That's a wrap
See how the Reds' stylish new coach was given it's slick, LFC-themed look with our free clip below.
New first-team coach
Meaning bus, rather than member of staff!
The players will be using this beauty for the first time ever tonight.
'Why can't we win at Anfield?'
An interview that's well worth a watch below, if you are an LFCTV GO subscriber.
View from the opposition
Chelsea boss Antonio Conte is expecting an open contest at Anfield this evening, and he thinks that'll make for a tough game for his team.
"Tomorrow I think Liverpool and Chelsea both want to win the game and we could see an open game, not a tactical game. The difficulty is high when you face this type of opponent but these type of games are always important to win because when you face teams with the same level, it is important for the confidence and to take three points from a rival."
Away from the build-up big game tonight for a moment, we've got something of a must-read!
The latest edition of our Behind the Badge series is here, with Chris Shaw doing a great job profiling the club's head of travel Phil Holliday.
Definitely worth having a look at while you eat your butties.
Reasons to be cheerful
In meetings involving the current top six since Jürgen Klopp took charge, Liverpool have lost just one of 14 games. This season, the Reds have won three and drawn three of six such fixtures.
Find more of that sort of thing in Ged Rea's statistical preview.
This is Anfield
“Sixteen matches and 48 points: this is our season now. This is our focus."
Straight to the point from Jürgen Klopp in his programme notes for tonight's game, which you can read here.
Weather
FAO meteorology fans
We're best starting this update with me telling you that I nearly lost my umbrella to the wind in Liverpool this morning. It really isn't great out there.
Anyway, the so-called 'experts' reckon it'll be around eight degrees celsius come kick-off, with a 45 per cent chance of rain.
Cold and wet, then.
BETVICTOR says...
Liverpool 13/8
Draw 23/10
Chelsea 19/10
Mignolet's view
Liverpool's No.22 is in bullish mood ahead of tonight's game, and all thanks to the Reds' performance at Stamford Bridge earlier this season.
"We played our game there - we took the game to them, scored two goals and defended really well. That’s what we’ll have to do again on Tuesday.
“It will be a different game, but if you can win at Stamford Bridge there’s no reason why you can’t do it at home, at Anfield.”
Read his exclusive interview with Liverpoolfc.com here.
Press conference
Of course, if you're an LFCTV GO subscriber, you can watch Klopp's media briefing in its entirety on demand below.
Not signed up? Click here to find out more.
Team news
Okay, we don't have the starting XI just yet, but there should be a few clues here.
At his pre-match press conference, Jürgen Klopp revealed the latest on the fitness of Adam Lallana, Nathaniel Clyne and Ovie Ejaria.
The boss also spoke about the possibility of Sadio Mane featuring this evening.
Here we go
Good morning and welcome to Liverpoolfc.com's live matchday blog for the Reds' Premier League meeting with Chelsea at Anfield this evening.
We're here to bring you build-up, team news, action, in-game stats, reaction and all the rest from what is sure to be a memorable clash with Antonio Conte's men.
Don't go anywhere!