Watch: Wijnaldum equalizer, Mignolet PK save help Liverpool draw Chelsea
Liverpool is looking to get out of a rut, and while Tuesday's result didn't yield three points, it should have the Reds feeling a bit better about their form.
Liverpool came from behind to draw Chelsea 1-1 at Anfield, with Georginio Wijnaldum's equalizer and Simon Mignolet's penalty save on Diego Costa rescuing a point for Jurgen Klopp's side, which has won just one of its last nine matches in all competitions. Liverpool won the earlier matchup between the sides, taking a 2-1 result at Stamford Bridge in December, but plenty has changed since then.
Liverpool has been ousted from the League Cup in the semifinals and the FA Cup in the fourth round within the last week, falling to fourth in the league and grasping onto a Champions League place.
Liverpool had the game's best chance in the early going, with Wijnaldum ripping a shot that required a strong, diving save from Thibaut Courtois in the 11th minute.
Chelsea responded with a rip of its own, and it's one that found the back of the net. With Liverpool setting up its set-piece defense and Chelsea appearing to take its time, David Luiz ran up and unleashed a 25-yard blast through a vacancy in the Reds' un-set wall and by a caught-off-guard Mignolet to give Chelsea a 1-0 lead in the 25th minute.
Liverpool had a golden opportunity to pull level in the 48th minute, with a wide-open chance falling to Roberto Firmino after a couple of one-touch passes in the final third, but he shanked his first-time effort well wide of the mark.
Wijnaldum found the equalizer 10 minutes later, though, heading home from six yards out after James Milner's headed cross (after Jordan Henderson's set-up) made its way into the center of the box.
Chelsea had a great opportunity to go ahead in the 77th minute, when Costa won a controversial penalty when it was ruled that Joel Matip had tripped him in the box (video replay showed embellishment). Mignolet emerged as the hero, though, diving to his right to smother Costa's penalty kick.
Both teams had chances to win in the final minutes. Chelsea's best look came from Pedro, who hooked his 20-yard chance just wide of the post.
On the other end, Firmino hit a close-range header on frame, but it was right into the waiting arms of Courtois.
The result did not alter the top of the table that much, with second-place Arsenal falling to Watford and Tottenham being held to a 0-0 draw by Sunderland. Chelsea's lead over Arsenal is now nine points–the two will meet on Saturday–while Liverpool is provisionally level with Spurs on points, 10 behind the Blues.
