Chelsea enjoyed a positive start to the match in terms of possession and control but went behind just before the half-hour mark through a Mo Salah penalty.

Nicolas Jackson equalised for Chelsea early in the second half but Liverpool's lead was restored three minutes later through the impressive Curtis Jones.

The Blues enjoyed more of the possession and created several chances in either half but in the end we were unable to find the second equaliser we needed.

Reece returns

Suspensions for Marc Cucurella and Wesley Fofana meant the Blues were always going to be forced into at least two changes and one of those was the return for the first time this season of Reece James, after our captain was injured during pre-season. James came in at right back, with Malo Gusto on the left.

Fofana's replacement was Tosin Adarabioyo and there was also a change in midfield as Romeo Lavia replaced Enzo Fernandez.

The tactical discipline and defensive shape of both teams meant openings were at a premium early on. It took almost a quarter of an hour for either side to really trouble the opposition defence as Noni Madueke burst past Andy Robertson, and soon after Gusto got to the byline, but on each occasion Liverpool were able to nullify the danger.

There was a brief moment of concern when Cody Gakpo intercepted Robert Sanchez's pass out of defence deep inside our penalty box but our number one was able to gather the ball with minimal fuss.

Chelsea were largely controlling possession in the opening quarter, as they had two-thirds of the ball, and Madueke got in behind Robertson again after a long diagonal forward but when he squared to Cole Palmer ten yards out, Jones slid in to make a block and then recovered to stop Palmer's goal-bound shot once more.

Opening goal

But it was Liverpool who were to take the lead when Levi Colwill was adjudged to have kicked Jones in the box and Salah sent Sanchez the wrong way from the spot.

Liverpool almost doubled their advantage two minutes later when the ball was in the back of the net once more but Salah had strayed offside before crossing for Gakpo to tap in at the far post.

Chelsea were then close to equalising a minute later when Caicedo slipped the ball through to Jackson but his first-time effort from 15 yards out hit the outside of the near post.

The game had opened up after the goal and moments after Chelsea had a penalty appeal waved away, Sanchez was forced into a routine stop by Dominik Szoboszlai from the resulting counter-attack.

The action slowed as the half drew to a close but during injury-time, Liverpool were awarded another penalty kick when Sanchez collided with Jones while rushing out to save. But following a VAR review and him looking at the screen, referee Mark Halsey reversed his decision after video footage showed the goalkeeper kicked the ball before connecting with Jones.

There was still time for Chelsea to go close to equalising once again when more good play from Madueke wide right saw him pass to Palmer but his left-footed shot from 12 yards out went over the bar.

Quick-fire goals

The break saw Maresca introduce Pedro Neto in place of Jadon Sancho and the Blues had their equaliser within three minutes of the restart when Caicedo slid Jackson through and he controlled well before calmly slotting into the bottom corner. The offside flag went up and the whistle was blown but VAR showed the Senegal striker had timed his run perfectly.

But parity only lasted three minutes as Salah's cross from the right picked out the run of Jones and he poked the ball beyond Sanchez from close range and a tight angle.

There was a triple change for the Blues, which appeared to have been prepared before the goal, as James and Lavia - returning to full fitness following injuries - were replaced by Renato Veiga and Enzo Fernandez, while Tosin - who was on a booking - made way for Benoit Badiashile.

The frantic start to the half slowed somewhat, although Madueke did have a volley saved following a Neto cross from the left and Palmer had a free-kick blocked by the wall.

Palmer had another goal-bound effort blocked during a dangerous attack and Neto, whose influence grew as the half went on, dragged a long-range drive wide soon after.

The Blues enjoyed more of the possession in the second period too and Christopher Nkunku was the next to be brought on as we chased another equaliser.

Liverpool managed to limit our attacking as the half edged towards its conclusion but we did go close on occasions during seven minutes of injury-time as we continued to chase an equaliser.

Veiga headed over the bar from Palmer's in-swinging free-kick, a dangerous Neto cross to the far post was only just beyond the reach of Nkunku yards from goal, and with the final kick of the game, Gusto had a goal-bound shot blocked. But it wasn't to be.

What it means

Manchester City's last-minute goal at Wolves earlier this afternoon meant Liverpool dropped to second heading into the game but today's 2-1 win means the Reds returned to the top of the table.

As for the Blues, we are currently sixth, just three points from Arsenal and Aston Villa in third and fourth respectively.

What next

Chelsea's next game is Thursday's trip to Panathinaikos for our second match in the main phase of the Conference League.

We will then return to Premier League action on Sunday at home to Newcastle United.

The teams

Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold (Gomez 81), Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Jones (Mac Allister 81); Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo (Diaz 65); Jota (Nunez 30)
Substitutes not used: Jaros, Endo, Tsimikas, Quansah, Morton
Goalscorers: Salah 29
Bookings: Szoboszlai 45+8, Nunez 69, Konate 80

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; James (c) (Veiga 52), Tosin (Badiashile 52), Colwill, Gusto; Caicedo, Lavia (Enzo 52); Madueke (Nkunku 76), Palmer, Sancho; Jackson
Substitutes not used: Bettinelli, Disasi, Dewsbury-Hall, Joao Felix
Goalscorers:
Bookings: Tosin 7, Jackson 28, Veiga 78