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Chelsea relinquish unbeaten run as defensive errors prove costly at Anfield

Chelsea couldn’t keep their seven-game unbeaten run in all competitions going as Liverpool squeaked past them 2-1 at Anfield on Sunday late afternoon.

Despite their first Premier League loss since the opening-day defeat to perennial champions Manchester City, Enzo Maresca’s side fared reasonably well against the division’s early pacesetters.

There’s no doubt that Chelsea are growing under the 44-year-old Italian manager.

However, the Blues must vastly improve at the back to increase their chances in a fiercely contested race for UEFA Champions League promotion.

As pointed out by Jamie Carragher via Express Sport, goalkeeper Robert Sanchez was arguably the weakest link in a decent-performing Chelsea side.

Maresca has reinstated the ex-Brighton & Hove Albion stopper as a first choice between the sticks since replacing Mauricio Pochettino in the dugout.

But he would be well-advised to listen to Carragher’s criticism and reassess the decision to stick with Sanchez as his starting keeper.

Perhaps it’s time for Filip Jorgensen to show what he’s made of now that Sanchez’s form curve has taken a downward trajectory.

In addition to the Spaniard’s insecurity in goal, Maresca’s defensive line-up performed below standard.

Chelsea conceded both goals relatively cheaply.

Levi Colwill made a rookie mistake to send Mohamed Salah to the spot for Liverpool’s first, while the Blues backline stayed too high for the second, allowing Curtis Jones to ghost into the six-yard box unmarked.

Spooked after an earlier collision with the English midfielder, Sanchez hesitated to leave the line, making it easy for Jones to cancel Nicolas Jackson’s equaliser.

On a more optimistic note, Maresca’s attack, spearheaded by the Senegalese striker, showed plenty of promise.

Even though he wasn’t at his best, Cole Palmer was still a menace for the opposition defenders.

Noni Madueke completed several signature runs down the flank to split Liverpool’s lines, yet Jadon Sancho was ineffective after several decent performances since joining on loan from Manchester United.

Pedro Neto wreaked havoc off the bench, using his blistering pace and deadly crosses to unsettle the Premier League’s best defence.

On the evidence of yesterday’s result, Maresca must tighten up Chelsea’s defense and make bold decisions in goal to bolster his team’s lofty ambitions.

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