Liverpool announced their top-four candidacy with a good-but-not-overwhelming 2-1 win against Chelsea at Samford Bridge Friday.
Dejan Lovren, of all people, opened the game up with an easy finish in the 17th minute.
Dejan Lovren puts @LFC in front of @ChelseaFC 1-0! #PLonNBC https://t.co/OpBrMAO4Tq
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) September 16, 2016
This goal brought to you by a very special bit of set piece defending from Chelsea.
Umm ... Chelsea? pic.twitter.com/bFiZu21B5i
— SB Nation Soccer (@SBNationSoccer) September 16, 2016
Fantastic. It probably isn't a good thing for Chelsea that literally three different Liverpool players could have scored that goal.
Speaking of fantastic, Jordan Henderson.
You'll probably want to watch this Jordan Henderson goal on repeat for the rest of the day. #PLonNBC https://t.co/6VMWlBv2vf
— NBCSN (@NBCSN) September 16, 2016
That's a goal of the year candidate, reminiscent of the last man to wear the armband for Liverpool. Everything about that shot is perfect, from the first touch to the dip over Courtois.
Diego Costa makes it 1-2 and puts @ChelseaFC back in this one! #PLonNBC https://t.co/46yaO9p9kM
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) September 16, 2016
After a nervy 30 final minutes, Liverpool closed the gap on the frontrunners and ended Chelsea's unbeaten start to the season. The Reds aren't sneaking up on anyone after their last two victories, and the Blues have some serious thinking to do.
Contact The18 Staff Writer Sam Klomhaus at Klomhaus@The18.com or follow him on Twitter @SamKlomhaus