‘Outstanding’ Liverpool thrash sorry Chelsea to stretch Premier League lead

Liverpool’s Hungarian midfielder #08 Dominik Szoboszlai shhots a free kick during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Chelsea at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on January 31, 2024. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP)

Liverpool remain on course to send Jurgen Klopp off as a Premier League winner after Chelsea were thrashed 4-1 at Anfield on Wednesday.

Conor Bradley was the star of the show as the 20-year-old right-back scored and teed up goals for Diogo Jota and Dominik Szoboszlai.

Christopher Nkunku reduced Chelsea’s arrears, but Luis Diaz rounded off the scoring and a thrilling Liverpool performance.

Indeed, the scoreline flattered the visitors as Darwin Nunez hit the woodwork four times, including from the penalty spot in the first half.

“We could have scored and should have scored more goals. You cannot score five, six goals against Chelsea if you are not outstanding,” said Klopp.

Victory restores a five-point lead at the top of the table for Klopp’s men over Manchester City, who have a game in hand, and Arsenal. The Gunners face Liverpool on Sunday.

Klopp had called for the news of his impending departure at the end of the season not to be a distraction and on this evidence it may only provide more inspiration for his side to deliver just a second league title in 34 years.

Once again the injured Mohamed Salah was not missed as Jota and Nunez provided a constant threat, while Bradley’s emergence is blocking Trent Alexander-Arnold’s return to the starting line-up.

Nunez had five shots inside the first 18 minutes as a combination of Djordje Petrovic and the woodwork on two occasions kept the Uruguayan at bay.

Jota was not so forgiving when he carved through the heart of the Chelsea defence to slam