Liverpool won’t have the chance to win a domestic double this season after losing their second game in a matter of days, crashing out of the FA Cup to Frank Lampard’s Chelsea thanks to goals from Willian and Ross Barkley.
It was a fast start at Stamford Bridge with both goalkeepers being forced into early saves, but it was Liverpool’s defences which crumbled first when Adrian fumbled Willian’s powerful shot into the back of his own net.
Kepa Arrizabalaga repaid Frank Lampard’s faith with a brilliant triple save to keep out a potential Liverpool equaliser and Chelsea were able to hold out to take their one-goal lead into half time.
Mason Mount almost doubled Chelsea’s lead with a vicious free-kick that clipped the top of Adrian’s crossbar, but the hosts eventually did get their second when Barkley rounded off a brilliant solo run with a shot that was too hot to handle for Liverpool’s goalkeeper.
Pedro and Olivier Giroud both had chances to kill off the game but were denied by impressive saves by Adrian, although it didn’t matter in the bigger picture as Chelsea held on to book their place in the quarterfinals of the FA Cup.
Chelsea
Key Talking Point
It’s easy to chalk up the frantic start to the match as both sides approaching the game like headless chickens, but Frank Lampard drilled his side to attack what proved to be a major defensive weak point for Liverpool – Neco Williams.
The 18-year-old full-back was being caught horribly out of position time after time, which Chelsea looked to exploit every time they were able to attack – either through quick, short passing or long balls in behind Liverpool’s back four.
Chelsea’s use of width changed somewhat after Mateo Kovačić and Willian were forced off through injury, but Ross Barkley was able to wrap things up with a stunning solo effort after running through the heart of Liverpool’s midfield.
Player Ratings
Kepa (9); Azpilicueta (7), Rudiger (6), Zouma (7), Alonso (7); Kovacic (6), Gilmour (10*), Barkley (7); Willian (7), Giroud (8), Pedro (6).
Substitutes: Mount (8), Jorginho (6), James (N/A).
Billy Gilmour
It was a big night for Billy Gilmour as he made just the sixth senior appearance of his career, but the 18-year-old put in a performance which should make him a shoo-in for Frank Lampard’s Premier League squad sooner rather than later.
The Scotland Under-21 international was able to use the ball and space around him like a seasoned defensive midfielder, but Gilmour also showed incredible ability when bringing the ball out from the back, skipping pass household names like Sadio Mané and Fabinho.
His tackling was also excellent despite his diminutive stature, never shying away from a hefty challenge.
Liverpool
Key Talking Point
It felt like Sadio Mané or nothing at times in attack as Liverpool endured a frustrating first half, and although the full-backs got more involved after the break, it was their naivety in defence where Jürgen Klopp’s side ultimately lost out.
It was a rare individual mistake from Fabinho which presented Willian with a shot at goal for Liverpool’s opener, although it was Adrian spilling the effort which ultimately proved to be vital as Chelsea took the lead.
For the game-deciding second, Liverpool gave Ross Barkley the freedom of the pitch to take a shot at goal, while an unnecessarily high line almost saw Pedro and Olivier Giroud add a third later on in the match.
Player Ratings
Adrian (4); Williams (5), Gomez (6), van Dijk (7), Robertson (6); Lallana (6), Fabinho (6), Jones (8*); Minamino (7), Mane (8), Origi (6).
Substitutes: Firmino (6), Milner (6), Salah (N/A).
Curtis Jones
He’s been the star of Liverpool’s FA Cup campaign this season, and Curtis Jones once again showed that he’s got what it takes to feature more regularly as the Reds edge ever closer to their first-ever Premier League title.
Jones wasn’t able to carry Liverpool into the next round of the competition, but his positioning and link-up play as one of their two box-to-box midfielders will give fans hope that another homegrown talent will become a first-team regular.
Looking Ahead
Chelsea will welcome Carlo Ancelotti’s Everton to Stamford Bridge this weekend, although it won’t quite be a homecoming for the ex-Blues boss as he’s set to serve a touchline ban.
For Liverpool, they’ll look to rediscover their form when Bournemouth make the trip to Anfield, although one eye will already be on the second leg of their Champions League last 16 tie against Atlético Madrid.