LONDON: Tuesday's encounter between Chelsea and Liverpool, their first since Graham Potter's dismissal as coach, ended in another scoreless stalemate, with both teams exhibiting the same issues that have kept them far behind in the Premier League this season. It was the fourth consecutive scoreless draw between the two teams, including the FA and League Cup finals Liverpool won last season on penalties.

Big-spending Following their humiliating 4-1 loss at Manchester City on Saturday, a much-changed Liverpool team appeared to be without confidence as Chelsea dominated the match at Stamford Bridge.

But Chelsea kept passing up opportunities, exhibiting the same lack of fight that ultimately cost Potter his job at Stamford Bridge after just 31 games.
In the early minutes, Kai Havertz missed opportunities after Joao Felix and Mateo Kovacic had both come close. This was again another lacklustre performance from the Blues, who have only scored 29 goals in 29 league games.

Both Reece James and Havertz had the ball in the net just before halftime, but both attempts were disallowed. Chelsea's interim head coach Bruno Saltor had Reece James return to his more dangerous position as a marauding right wing-back.

With their first moments of danger, Liverpool attempted to make Chelsea pay for their carelessness at the close of the first half, including a rasping drive by Fabinho that Blues defender Wesley Fofana pushed wide with a glancing header. In the second half, Chelsea's chances were again squandered by Felix and Kovacic.

After the draw, Liverpool found themselves in eighth place in the league standings, trailing Tottenham Hotspur by seven points for the fourth Champions League qualification berth despite having played one fewer match than Spurs. Chelsea remained in place at 11, unchanged.

At least N'Golo Kante, the midfielder who hasn't started for the Blues since sustaining a hamstring injury in August, was visible to Chelsea supporters. When Chelsea plays Real Madrid in the quarterfinals of the Champions League the following week, they will be hoping he can build on his performance.

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