Mauricio Pochettino’s new Chelsea squad battled back to draw 1-1 at home to Liverpool in their Premier League opener on Sunday, as rookie defender Axel Disasi cancelled out Luis Diaz’s opening.
Diaz threatened to wreck Pochettino’s first competitive encounter in command of the Blues in the 18th minute, as the Colombian reached out a boot to turn in a defence-splitting cross by Mohamed Salah as the visitors attacked with lightning pace.
Just over 10 minutes later, Liverpool felt they had increased their advantage, but Salah was adjudged to be offside before putting the ball past custodian Robert Sanchez, one of four debutants in Chelsea’s starting lineup.
Chelsea survived the storm and levelled in the 37th minute when Liverpool failed to clear a corner and France international Disasi, bought from AS Monaco last month, stroked the ball in from close range following a looping Ben Chilwell header.
Chilwell then went around custodian Alison Becker to put the ball in the net, but VAR determined he was offside.
After halftime, Chelsea controlled possession but failed to score a second goal. In the final minutes, a deflected attempt by replacement Darwin Nunez almost won it for Liverpool.
