Their contrasting fortunes and approaches were graphically underlined by a homegrown Liverpool talent, Conor Bradley, helping to dismantle Mauricio Pochettino's strangers on a statement night for the Premier League leaders.
Bradley was inspired, the Kop chanting the 20-year-old's name throughout, as Klopp's team toyed with their Carabao Cup final opponents a month before they meet at Wembley. Liverpool are counting down the days already. Chelsea must be dreading them.
A high-octane affair flew by with Liverpool refusing to allow Chelsea any time to play their way through a relentless press and peppering Djordje Petrovic's goal almost on sight. Klopp got the atmosphere and the performance he requested. His team were at full throttle from the first whistle and the crowd parked their despair over Friday's announced departure to produce a raucous noise. One fed off the other.
Klopp made a shrewd managerial choice by retaining Conor Bradley at right-back despite the availability of the fit-again Trent Alexander-Arnold.
It was a huge show of faith in the 20-year-old, who has excelled in the deputy captain's recent absence, and a decision that reaped huge rewards.
The Kop was singing the Northern Ireland international's name towards the conclusion of a first half in which he created the first goal for Jota and scored the second himself.
This story is from the February 01, 2024 edition of The Guardian.
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This story is from the February 01, 2024 edition of The Guardian.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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