Talking Points: Did the Mason Mount VAR incident change the complexion of the game?

The Reds are on a 15-game winning streak in the Premier League and maintained their perfect start to the campaign.

Liverpool continues to sit atop of the standings of the Premier League with six victories in six fixtures after securing all three points in a 1-2 victory against Chelsea. Frank Lampard’s men played some sensational football but were unable to find the extra gear to hurt Jurgen Klopp’s men who showed resilience despite having their backs to the wall in the second half.

The game saw a turning point when Cesar Azplicueta’s first-half equaliser was disallowed by VAR after Mason Mount looked to be marginally in an offside position in the build-up of the goal. The rest of the game was mostly dominated by the home side which failed to find the second goal to secure a point after N'golo Kante scored the consolation goal.

There were several highlights from the game that emerged from both outfits and the outcome suggests that, while Liverpool sit comfortably at the top of the table, Chelsea are in a sea of troubles and Lampard has got a tough job at hand if he is to guide the club to a top-four finish. 

5. Were Liverpool too complacent going into the second half?

Jurgen Klopp looked visibly livid from his players and their work-rate in the second half. This could probably be attributed to their complacency after heading into the break with a two-goal advantage. Chelsea were not able to find much rhythm in the first half which was comfortably addressed by the current league leaders.

However, the lack of focus by the visitors saw the Blues dominate the proceedings in the second 45 minutes. Liverpool were pegged back due to sitting back instead of pressing and were lucky on several occasions to have not conceded the second goal.

4. Are Chelsea's defensive frailties going to cause them in the future?

Chelsea have now conceded a total of 13 goals already with only half a dozen fixtures played, which is the third-highest in the league. This stat is worrying for the fans as the defence seems to be unable to stop goals from leaking. Moreover, there is a growing lack of options at the back as well, as Andreas Christensen joins Antonio Rudiger on the sidelines after suffering a knee injury in the first half.

Kurt Zouma is not reliable and the youngster Fikayo Tomori is still inexperienced at this level. If the leakage of goals is not stopped, Frank Lampard could be looking at further disappointments in terms of results, despite playing good attacking football. 

3. Is Trent Alexander-Arnold the weak link in Liverpool's defence?

Trent Alexander-Arnold is one of the best right-backs in the league, but needs to remember he is a defender first. Despite opening the scoring with a piledriver of a shot in the top-right corner, the full-back showed signs of defensive shortcomings throughout the game. His troubles escalated more so after Marcos Alonso was introduced, who is more adept attacking-wise than Emerson.

Almost all of Chelsea’s attacking plans went through Alonso who continuously found spaces behind the 20-year-old on the left flank - who failed to track his runs or stop his piercing crosses into the box.

Jurgen Klopp could be forced to employ the full-back in a more advanced role and bring in someone like Joe Gomez as a cover at the back. 

2. Despite the performance, are Liverpool already the favourites to the league title?

Liverpool are the only team in the league with a perfect record, winning all six of their opening games. They are already looking like the strongest team in England, with only Manchester City their nearest competitors. While the league is still in infancy, the Reds are definitely favourites for the title, having established a five-point lead from the second-placed Cityzens.

Jurgen Klopp has instilled a sense of maturity in the squad that has enabled them to secure victories despite not performing on the levels expected of them, which is a trait of a champion side. Triumph against CFC is the perfect example how LFC is showing resilience despite failing to keep clean sheets or dominating the proceedings.

1. Did the first half, that included the VAR incident, took the game away from Chelsea?

Chelsea had a very unfortunate start to the game. After having to trail the game due to the incredible opening goal from Alexander-Arnold, Lampard’s men responded well and driven by the support from the fans at Stamford Bridge, managed to find the back of the net; however, that is when the turning point occurred.

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Amidst the celebration, referee Mike Olliver was intercepted by VAR which had caught Mason Mount in an offside position in the build-up to the goal, which eventually led to the equaliser being disallowed.

Rubbing more salt to the wounds, the visitors immediately shot into a two-goal lead after Roberto Firmino was left unmarked from a free-kick and guided his header in the back of the net from close range. This series of events had deflated Chelsea’s resolve, following which they could not find much rhythm in the first half.