Chelsea vs Liverpool LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction as match ends in goalless draw

Interim Chelsea manager, Bruno Saltor, will be pleased to take a point away from this first game in charge but will be kept awake by the chances his team missed against the still underperforming Liverpool.

After a quick start from the hosts, Joao Felix and Mateo Kovacic should have sent the Blues two goals up inside the opening six minutes but last-ditch defending from Ibrahima Konate and Joel Matip denied them the opener.

Liverpool were sluggish and slow to get into the game. That was perhaps excusable after Jurgen Klopp made six changes to the starting XI that lost to Manchester City at the weekend.

What isn’t excusable is the still shaky defence and the Reds were lucky to be twice reprieved following disallowed goals for Reece James and Kai Havertz - the first for a miniscule offside and the second for a handball.

This must-win match for both teams ended in a whimper and leaves both managers with problems to solve before the weekend.

Relive all the action as Chelsea drew Liverpool in the Premier League:

Chelsea vs Liverpool

• Chelsea play out goalless draw with Liverpool in the Premier League

• Comedy show underlines scale of rebuild required at Chelsea and Liverpool alike

• 52’ NO GOAL! - Havertz’s opener is ruled out for handball (CHE 0-0 LIV)

• 24’ DISALLOWED! - James’ volleyed effort is ruled out for offside (CHE 0-0 LIV)

• 6’ CHANCE! - Kovacic goes round Alisson but Konate clears the shot off the line (CHE 0-0 LIV)

• 4’ CHANCE! - Matip gets back in time to block Felix’s early effort (CHE 0-0 LIV)

Chelsea FC 0 - 0 Liverpool FC

Comedy show underlines scale of rebuild required at Chelsea and Liverpool alike

22:05 , Mike Jones

It’s remarkable to think that, just months ago, Chelsea and Liverpool offered a domestic cup final of a high quality befitting their status as two of the best sides in the world. By contrast, the only reason you couldn’t say this 0-0 draw at Stamford Bridge was one of the worst games of the season was because it was so entertaining for all the wrong reasons. It was sometimes hilarious.

It was also like something out of a different era, which is precisely why both of these clubs are having such serious discussions about what comes next. It was also exactly why this was, when you strip it all away, a mere mid-table match with so little to play for. There was so little play at all.

Far from the elite football of 2022, this game in April 2023 was like something out of the 1970s: thrown together; go out and enjoy yourselves. It was only those looking for a bit of a laugh who did the latter. Whereas the finest modern sides are supremely drilled in the most sophisticated tactical structures, this was instead two XIs that had never played together before, one of them under a stand-in manager who had never picked a team before. Bruno Saltor at least did himself credit with first-ever career point, and a performance when his Chelsea side were the better team, even if that is all relative.

Comedy show underlines scale of rebuild required at Chelsea and Liverpool alike

FT Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool

22:29 , Mike Jones

Chelsea forward Kai Havertz talking to Sky Sports: “I think [we should have won], especially in the first half we had load of chances. Second half, I think it was maybe a tie, maybe in the first half we deserved to score so in the end it’s 0-0.”

“Maybe yes [Chelsea lacking confidence], I think in the moment especially after the loss at the weekend we missed a lot of confidence and that doesn’t make it easier [the sacking]. But we are all professionals and we have to score. We have to keep on pushing.

“With the new technology it was pretty clear. It is tough. I scored also at Anfield and it was small margins when it was disallowed. At the end you have to wait for the VAR and that is how it is and I have to accept that.

“It’s tough. As always when a manager leaves a club. It’s not easy because it is our job to win games and when a manager gets the sack we also have to take responsibility for that. Now we have to accept how it is. We have to be professional and accept the situation. I mean I have to say first of all I have to say it’s really nice and I have to respect Bruno and the coaching staff to stand in front of the team when the manager got the sack. But now it’s not our job to think about who is coming. The owners decide that.

“We have to do the job on the pitch but when you have a manager for the long term it’s easier for us as players. We have the faces out there, everyone sees us and we are all very frustrated to see Graham go but we have to accept the situation.

“There are nine games to play in the league and Chelsea doesn’t deserve to be 11th. It’s not nice to be there but we all have to stick together.

“We are in the quarter-final of the Champions League and we have to get as much confidence as possible in the upcoming game. As players on the pitch we need the fans as well. We are in the last eight of the best teams in Europe. It’s not nice but we have to stick together.”

FT Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool

22:25 , Mike Jones

Chelsea interim boss Bruno Saltor to BBC Sport: “It’s difficult to enjoy this type of experience because you’re really focused on the game. I tried to help the players from the touchline as much as I could.

“After what happened on Sunday, yesterday we had a recovery session. I tried to spend time with the players and talk to them. I thought they gave everything.

“It’s been hard, we are very close friends [with Graham Potter]. It’s difficult to stand here without him but I’m trying my best.

“We created chances. We scored, offside. It will come to the boys because they deserve it.

“We left Liverpool without anything [up front]. They put their bodies on the line, I’m really happy with back three. We had players on Ramadan, some back from injury.

“N’Golo Kante is incredible. His performances are good. He’s a leader with his performances.”

What now? “I’m going back home, rest, focus on the next game. We will just focus on every day. The boys are giving their best. It’s been a really hard season. They’re human beings, we have to help them.”

FT Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool

22:19 , Mike Jones

Post match reaction from Jurgen Klopp who spoke to BBC Sport saying: “Both teams played last year in two finals, two of the best 0-0s I ever saw. Today it was two teams low on confidence but really fighting. We’re fine with a point, a lot of good stuff. We showed a lot of fight. We have to keep going.

“We struggled with the last line in the beginning but changed three times. The balls in behind were tricky but then we recovered well. We got better into the game. The midfield was well connected. We had our opportunities up front. It was not speculator. It was a step. That’s what we have to do – make steps. Sometimes smaller steps.

“We need to have these chances. You need to keep having chances. I’m not disappointed about that. They scored twice but both goals were disallowed. I didn’t expect a team with six changes to play the best game of the season. The boys who came in used their opportunity and showed they were ready.

“We cannot talk about the goals we have if we don’t get points. We don’t give up, we will fight. We can talk a lot but we have to show. We saw a step in the right direction tonight.

“Some needed a rest.”

On whether he has had a season like this: “No, thank God. I wouldn’t be manager of Liverpool if I had a couple of these seasons. We have to get through it. That’s how life is. You have to fight to change your fortunes.”

FT Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool

22:14 , Mike Jones

Chelsea have 38 points and have scored 29 goals in their 29 Premier League fixtures this season.

It is their lowest points tally at this stage of a league campaign since 1994-95 (37) and their lowest goals tally at this stage of a top flight season since 1978-79 (29).

FT Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool

21:57 , Mike Jones

Chelsea rue a lack of quality in front of goal and have to settle for a point against Liverpool.

Full-time: Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool

21:54 , Mike Jones

90+5 mins: Enzo Fernandez strikes one from range and for a moment has Alisson worried in the Liverpool goal. The shot continues to rise though and curls wide of the far post.

The full-time whistle goes and both teams have to settle for a point.

Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool

21:50 , Mike Jones

90 mins: Five minutes of added time to play.

Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool

21:48 , Mike Jones

88 mins: Time is ticking away at Stamford Bridge with neither team looking likely to score a winner. Raheem Sterling ventures offside trying to make a run down the right.

Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool

21:44 , Mike Jones

85 mins: Can Raheem Sterling provide a spark of joy for Chelsea? His return from injury is a good sign for the Blues going forward but a bit of magic would help them tonight.

There are five minutes plus stoppage time for him to make his mark.

Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool

21:42 , Mike Jones

82 mins: A poor touch from Jordan Henderson ends a promising Liverpool attack. With Milner, Fabinho and Henderson now on the pitch the Reds have their most experienced players attempting to control midfield.

Chelsea have pace up top though and Mykhailo Mudryk wins the Blues a corner.

Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool

21:37 , Mike Jones

79 mins: Myhailo Mudryk comes on to replace Ben Chilwell for Chelsea as Bruno Saltor looks to win the game.

James Milner and Cody Gakpo are also introduced for Liverpool with Darwin Nunez and Curtis Jones taken off.

Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool

21:36 , Mike Jones

76 mins: Chance! A floated ball up the pitch drops into the Liverpool box. Ibrahima Konate blocks off Ben Chilwell’s run then heads the ball away.

It gets as far as Joao Felix who rolls the ball onto his right foot then smokes an effort over the top.

Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool

21:33 , Mike Jones

73 mins: Fabinho has been on the end of a few ropey tackles tonight. He comes together with Joao Felix and both men go down in a heap.

The referee blames the Brazilian and pulls out a yellow card.

Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool

21:28 , Mike Jones

70 mins: Bruno Saltor makes his first substitution as Chelsea manager. N’Golo Kante’s fine night is over and Conor Gallagher comes on to replace him.

Can one of these teams break the deadlock in the final 20 minutes.

Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool

21:27 , Mike Jones

67 mins: Mateo Kovacic is booked for a poor challenge in the middle of the pitch but stays down and nurses his knee. He’ll be okay to play on.

Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool

21:25 , Mike Jones

64 mins: Jurgen Klopp makes a couple of changes now. Andy Robertson and Mo Salah are introduced at the expense of Kostas Tsimikas and Roberto Firmino.

Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool

21:19 , Mike Jones

61 mins: Darwin Nunez nicks the ball back deep in Chelsea’s final third then carries it to the edge of the box. He lets fly on a shot from range but hits it straight at Kepa Arrizabalaga who clings onto the effort.

Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool

21:17 , Mike Jones

58 mins: A free kick falls Chelsea’s way inside the Liverpool half. It’s quite a way out from goal but Ben Chilwell and Reece James seem like they fancy it.

Chilwell touches the ball to James who then blasts a shot high and wide.

Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool

21:14 , Mike Jones

55 mins: Liverpool are very lucky. It was another case of poor defending and fortune just fell their way. Jurgen Klopp will know that his side are getting outplayed here, he must be thinking about making some changes.

NO GOAL! Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool

21:11 , Mike Jones

52 mins: Oh no! Kai Havertz’s opener is ruled out. As the ball bounced off Alisson it strikes Havertz on the arm before rebounding into the net.

The goal is chalked off for handball.

GOAL! Chelsea 1-0 Liverpool (Havertz, 50’)⚽️

21:10 , Mike Jones

50 mins: There’s the opener! N’Golo Kante receives the ball in the middle of the pitch. He spins then slides a pass through the lines into the feet of Kai Havertz.

He carries the ball into the box then tries to poke it past Alisson. The Liverpool keeper makes the block but the rebound hits Havertz and flies into the back of the net.

It’s scrappy but Chelsea will take it!

Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool

21:07 , Mike Jones

48 mins: Joel Matip collects the first yellow card of the night after coming through Joao Felix with a tackle from behind.

Chance! A lovely forward pass from Felix sees him pick out Kai Havertz who stretches to control the ball. Ibrahima Konate takes it off him but N’Golo Kante quickly pounces to recover possession and slip Mateo Kovacic into the box.

One-on-one with the goalkeeper, Kovacic leans back just as he shoots and his effort sails high over the crossbar.

Second half: Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool

21:04 , Mike Jones

Chelsea get the match back underway at Stamford Bridge. The reverese fixture at Anfield ended in a goalless draw, are we in for a repeat result tonight?

Neither manager makes any changes at the break.

Premier League matches to pause for fasting Muslim players

21:00 , Mike Jones

Tuesday evening’s Premier League matches will pause to allow Muslim players to break their Ramadan fast.

Everton’s game against Tottenham on Monday night was halted briefly in the 26th minute to allow the three Muslim players in Sean Dyche’s side to eat and drink.

If clubs request a stoppage with the officials before kick-off, the four games in the English top flight on Tuesday evening will also be paused by the referee.

Muslims fast during the hours between sunrise and sunset during the month of Ramadan, which this year began on 22 March.

Premier League matches to pause for fasting Muslim players

HT Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool

20:56 , Mike Jones

This is the only Premier League game of the night not to see a goal.

Brighton are currently leading Bournemouth 1-0, whilst Leicester and Aston Villa are level at 1-1. Remarkably Leeds have come from a goal down against Nottingham Forest and now lead 2-1.

Those games kicked off 15 minutes earlier than this one and are just about starting the second halfs.

HT Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool

20:52 , Mike Jones

Nothing to separate the teams at half-time. Reece James came closest to scoring and actually had the ball in the back of the net only for it to get ruled out for a miniscule offside.

Half-time: Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool

20:48 , Mike Jones

45+3 mins: Diogo Jota is slipped into the box by Curtis Jones and decides to cut inside of Marc Cucurella before taking a shot. Jota makes the move but the Chelsea defender wins the ball and rolls it out of play before the shot can be taken.

The whistle goes to signal the end of the first half. All to play for after the break.

Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool

20:45 , Mike Jones

45 mins: There’s going to be three minutes of added time to play at the end of this half. Chelsea have been the better team but they’ve wasted their chances in front of goal.

Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool

20:42 , Mike Jones

43 mins: Kostas Tsimikas scuffs his cross when taking a corner for Liverpool and N’Golo Kante is on hand to scoop the ball away. That’s poor from Liverpool, they haven’t really challenged Kepa Arrizabalaga in this half.

Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool

20:41 , Mike Jones

40 mins: Jordan Henderson floats a nice diagonal pass over to the left wing for Darwin Nunez. This could have been an opportunity for Liverpool to create something but instead Nunez’s touch abandons him and Wesley Fofana nips across to sprint away with the ball.

Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool

20:39 , Mike Jones

37 mins: The referee has let quite a few things go tonight. Reece James steps into the middle of the pitch and receives the ball. He skips around Fabinho who sticks out a leg and trips him up.

Chelsea win a free kick and James gives Fabinho are few words over the tackle.

Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool

20:35 , Mike Jones

34 mins: Konate tries to shield the ball out for a throw in but a lunging tackle from Kante keeps the ball in play. He leaves a bit too much on the Liverpool defender who hobbles away from the incident after releasing the ball to Curtis Jones.

Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool

20:33 , Mike Jones

31 mins: Liverpool win a throw in over on the right wing that Joe Gomez sends into the box. Roberto Firmino flicks it on to Darwin Nunez who can’t control the ball.

It comes loose but Diogo Jota takes over and looks to dart inside of Reece James and Wesley Fofana but gets closed off.

Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool

20:30 , Mike Jones

28 mins: Chance! Kante has been electric in midfield tonight and sets up another opportunity for Chelsea. He shimmies out of a tackle and carries the ball through the middle of the Liverpool final third.

Havertz is open to his left and Kante plays him in but the forward snatches at a shot across goal and pulls it well wide of the far post.

Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool

20:26 , Mike Jones

24 mins: Disallowed goal! Chelsea’s corner is curled into the middle of the penalty area. The blues win it in the air and nod the ball over to Enzo Fernandez.

His prodded effort is turned away and the ball loops out to Reece James. James lets it drop and rattles a beautiful volley into the back of the net!

The offside flag goes up immediately and VAR confirms that Fernandez was just offside.

Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool

20:24 , Mike Jones

21 mins: Chelsea storm forward on the break with Kante driving the ball down the right wing. He gives it to Havertz who lifts a cross over to the far side of the box.

Joao Felix wins the header and nods it towards goal but Mateo Kovacic is well marked and Liverpool turn the ball out for a corner.

Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool

20:20 , Mike Jones

18 mins: Kepa Arrizabalaga comes flying out to the edge of his penalty area as a threaded pass is played through for Darwin Nunez.

The Chelsea goalkeeper gets to the ball first but his clearance comes straight to Jordan Henderson. Henderson hooks an early strike towards goal but Kalidou Koulibaly gets back and heads the effort away.

That could have been an embarrassing one for Kepa.

Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool

20:18 , Mike Jones

15 mins: Bruno Saltor’s strengthening of Chelsea’s midfield is working nicely. He’s brought in N’Golo Kante to play alongside Mateo Kovacic and Enzo Fernandez. The Blues are in control of that area of the pitch as it stands.

Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool

20:13 , Mike Jones

12 mins: Chelsea had two massive chances early on to take the lead but Liverpool seem to be slowly growing into the game. They’re seeing more of the ball and are starting to match Chelsea’s tempo.

Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool

20:11 , Mike Jones

9 mins: A misplaced pass from Kai Havertz gives the ball to Liverpool. Jordan Henderson plays it over to Curtis Jones who tricks and weaves through midfield before slipping the ball over to Kostas Tsimikas on the left wing.

He passes it to Roberto Firmino who then attempts to thread a forward ball into the box for Darwin Nunez but Wesley Fofana dives across and intercepts the pass.

Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool

20:07 , Mike Jones

6 mins: And again! Joao Felix has started this game brilliantly. He weaves into the middle of the box and releases the ball to Mateo Kovacic.

Kovacic dances wide of a sprawling Alisson and turns the ball towards goal only to be denied by a lunge from Ibrahima Konate who turns the ball away!

Liverpool are all at sea here.

Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool

20:04 , Mike Jones

4 mins: Chance! Kostas Tsimikas gives the ball away with a terrible pass backwards. Kai Havertz intercepts the ball and draws Ibrahima Konate out of position before slipping it to Joao Felix.

Felix dribbles into the box and cuts inside of Joel Matip. He rolls the ball onto his left foot and shoots but Matip recovers in time to block the shot!

Nervous times for Liverpool.

Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool

20:02 , Mike Jones

3 mins: Chelsea win a free kick deep in Liverpool’s half over on the right wing. Ben Chilwell and Reece James stand over the ball but it’s James who whips a cross into the penalty area.

Wesley Fofana is the target but Alisson is off his line quickly and punches the ball clear.

Kick off: Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool

20:01 , Mike Jones

Jordan Henderson kicks off the match and sends the ball towards Joel Matip. He fizzes a diagonal pass over to the left wing but Wesley Fofana is up highest and wins the ball in the air.

Chelsea vs Liverpool

19:57 , Mike Jones

The players make their way out of the tunnel and step onto the pitch at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea are about to kick off the post-Graham Potter era. Will it be a successful start for the Blues?

Chelsea vs Liverpool

19:53 , Mike Jones

Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool have scored 14 goals in as many away league fixtures in this campaign. Can they get on the scoresheet again tonight?

Chelsea vs Liverpool

19:50 , Mike Jones

Mohamed Salah is the last former Chelsea player to score against them at Stamford Bridge in the league, doing so in January 2022. If he wants to do so again today, he’ll need to come off the bench to do so.

Chelsea vs Liverpool

19:48 , Mike Jones

Chelsea have failed to score in five Premier League home games this season, including four in 2023. They would equal the club record by failing to score in a sixth in a single Premier League campaign.

The Blues have scored just 29 goals from 355 shots in the Premier League this season. Their shot conversion rate of 8.2% is their lowest in a single season since Opta began recording such data in 1997/98.

Pre-match thoughts of Jurgen Klopp

19:45 , Mike Jones

“It didn’t work out in the last weeks so that’s the moment when you have to make changes. I really hope we can show the reaction. As a group we have to show a reaction.

“Saturday, Tuesday is always something when you have to think about changes. I think things combined a little bit because we are not overly happy.

“There must be the opportunity for other players.”

Chelsea vs Liverpool

19:40 , Mike Jones

The warm-ups are done and kick off is quickly approaching. Who’s going to win this one?

Chelsea vs Liverpool

19:35 , Mike Jones

Chelsea have won just three of their last 13 midweek Premier League games (six draws, four defeats), losing both such matches so far in 2023.

They have not lost three successive midweek matches within the same season since May 2012 under Roberto Di Matteo - the third fixture was against Liverpool.

Chelsea vs Liverpool

19:30 , Mike Jones

Liverpool’s tally of eight Premier League away defeats already matches their total number from the last three seasons combined.

But, the Reds have won 13 of their last 14 midweek Premier League games, including each of the last nine in a row.

Chelsea vs Liverpool

19:25 , Mike Jones

Chelsea had 27 shots against Aston Villa last time out, their most attempts in a Premier League match without finding the net since January 2014.

The Blues start their 29th game of the campaign in 11th place in the Premier League table. It’s the latest they’ve played a league match while in the bottom half since their penultimate fixture of 1995/96.

Why Europe’s biggest clubs are sacking managers before Easter

19:20 , Mike Jones

As the news came through that Graham Potter was leaving Chelsea, there were a few eyes rolled at Tottenham Hotspur. That is because they are now competing for the same managers and, even allowing for league positions and stadiums, Stamford Bridge still has a lot more pull.

If that seems like an unfortunate confluence of events – maybe even typical Spurs – it shouldn’t be seen as a coincidence.

There is a reason three super clubs in Tottenham, Chelsea and Bayern Munich changed coaches around the same time, to go with the most ever managerial changes in the Premier League, and there is more to it than just their current form. It is also down to next season, and the future.

Why Europe’s biggest clubs are sacking managers before Easter

Chelsea vs Liverpool

19:15 , Mike Jones

Liverpool could lose three successive Premier League matches for the first time since February 2021. They have lost five of their 11 Premier League games so far in 2023 - already one more than in the whole of 2022.

Will they end that run of defeats tonight?

Chelsea vs Liverpool team news

19:14 , Mike Jones

Tonight’s Liverpool line-up is a surprise to say the least. Jurgen Klopp has benched pretty much all his guaranteed starters except for Alisson.

Salah, Van Dijk, Alexander-Arnold and Robertson have all been dropped.

Whether Klopp is giving them a rest after a stressful season or is trying to make a point remains to be seen.

Chelsea vs Liverpool

19:10 , Mike Jones

Chelsea have only won three Premier League games in 2023 with five draws and five defeats. They have lost without scoring in four Premier League home games this season including at the weekend against Aston Villa.

Chelsea vs Liverpool team changes

19:05 , Mike Jones

Bruno Saltor makes two changes to the Chelsea side that lost 2-0 to Aston Villa at the weekend. Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Mykhailo Mudryk are out with Wesley Fofan and N’Golo Kante coming in.

Jurgen Klopp meanwhile swaps out quite a few players. There are three new defenders with Joe Gomez, Joel Matip and Kostas Tsimikas preferred to Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson.

In midfield Curtis Jones replaces Harvey Elliott and up top Roberto Firmino and Darwin Nunez slot in for Mo Salah and Cody Gakpo.

Chelsea vs Liverpool line-ups

19:01 , Mike Jones

Chelsea XI: Arrizabalaga, Fofana, Koulibaly, Cucurella, James, Kante Kovacic, Fernandez, Chilwell, Havertz, Felix

Liverpool XI: Alisson, Gomez, Matip, Konate, Tsimikas, Fabinho, Henderson, Jones, Jota, Nunez, Firmino

Klopp on facing Chelsea

18:55 , Mike Jones

“Maybe [it will have] the normal impact after a manager leaves.

“I don’t know now, you told me the coaching staff obviously will stay, and we have not a real session between the last and the game tomorrow night. So, we have today obviously a session, but from a recovery point of view you cannot do any intense stuff mentally and physically, so it’s more talking.

“That’s what they will do, definitely. But I am pretty sure Chelsea, the players, want to show a reaction, whatever, it always is. When you saw the Bayern game against Dortmund, there was a reaction for whatever reason. That’s it.

“I think apart from that there is maybe rotation a little bit – [N’Golo] Kante is back, other players, Mason [Mount] was injured I think, was on the bench first time [at the weekend], might play.

“So, line-up-wise they could change system, I don’t know. They changed system during the season but we expect actually pretty similar to the last games.”

Jurgen Klopp, the Premier League’s last man standing, looks for a different way out

18:50 , Mike Jones

It was a brutal Sunday for Premier League managers. First the axe fell on Brendan Rodgers, then on Graham Potter. Each had lost on Saturday, but by one and two goals respectively. Liverpool were beaten by three. Jurgen Klopp was asked about the departures of men he likes and respects. “I think the elephant in the room is probably from your point of view why I am still sitting here in this crazy world,” he said. “The last man standing.”

Liverpool have lost their last three games. Their second half against Manchester City was, in the German’s words, “awful”. Their season has been a series of ignominies: the Champions League eviscerations by Napoli and Real Madrid, the harrowing showings at Brentford and Brighton and Wolves, the losses to relegation-threatened Leeds and Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth.

Klopp is nevertheless still standing. He is the third longest-serving manager in the Football League, behind only Harrogate’s Simon Weaver and Accrington’s John Coleman, and for much of a seven-year reign, longevity has been a sign of success. Now he is propped up by his past, as he willingly admits. He is the Champions League winner, the first manager to win the English title for Liverpool in 30 years, the coach who came within two games of a quadruple last year. He has credit in the bank in a way Potter, in particular, did not. He wishes he did not need to rely on it.

The Premier League’s last man standing looks for a different way out

Chelsea vs Liverpool

18:45 , Mike Jones

Liverpool could go five league games unbeaten at Stamford Bridge for the first time.

The last three meetings in all competitions have ended goalless.

There have only ever been four successive 0-0 draws between two top-flight clubs - Everton against Liverpool between 1974-1975 and Arsenal versus QPR between 1992-1994.

Chelsea vs Liverpool

18:40 , Mike Jones

Each of the last five meetings between Chelsea and Liverpool in all competitions have been draws.

The Reds have never drawn six in a row against any opponent before, while the Blues last did so as a top-flight side against Burnley in 1956.

How not to run a football club: A lesson from Chelsea and Todd Boehly

18:35 , Mike Jones

Never has so much been spent to accomplish so little. If Chelsea lose to Real Madrid, and the sacking of Graham Potter was a sign they had precious little hope of victory with him, there is a case for deeming theirs one of the worst seasons in footballing history. They have committed around £600m in transfer and loan fees for players and managers, exited both domestic cups without scoring, let alone winning, languish in the lower half of the Premier League, without beating any of its top eight teams and having been outscored by the team in 19th.

It is hard to think of a bigger gulf between expenditure and achievement. If Potter has been the face of failure, Todd Boehly is the architect of it. It would complete a perfect year of dreadful decision-making if the manager he sacked, Thomas Tuchel, ends the season winning the Champions League with Bayern Munich. Boehly got rid of one of the world’s best managers and replaced him with an inferior figure, lacking the charisma and decisiveness elite clubs require. Chelsea paid Brighton £21m for Potter, only scored 21 league goals under him and now face another hefty pay-off.

How not to run a football club: A lesson from Chelsea and Todd Boehly

Saltor frustrated at Potter’s sacking

18:30 , Mike Jones

Bruno Saltor gave the Chelsea press conference yesterday and spoke about Graham Potter’s sacking.

“Obviously there is a frustration because processes take time. All of us, we know the situation here and it is what it is. We need to focus on (Tuesday) and focus on Liverpool,” he said,

“Thinking about the past and what has happened before is not helping me now.

“Obviously I don’t know exactly what were the promises to Graham in that case but it’s a club decision. I’ve been coaching for four years and I’ve been under Graham. He’s been the manager and always had the last word. It’s quite clear that’s not going to be the case now.

“(Tuesday) is going to be the first time (I pick the team). I feel good, it’s my duty, it’s a responsibility and I’m in a really important club and I want to try my best.”

Jurgen Klopp on facing Chelsea after Graham Potter’s sacking

18:25 , Mike Jones

"After a manager leaves, I don’t know. The coaching staff obviously will stay.

"We have not had a real session between our last game and tomorrow night. Today, from a recovery point of view, we cannot do intense stuff mentally and physically. It’s more talking.

"I’m petty sure Chelsea will want to show a reaction. Apart from that, maybe rotation? Kante is back, Mason was injured but might play.

"Line-up wise there might be a change to their system, I don’t know. We expect pretty similar to our last game’s."

Chelsea interim manager Bruno Saltor admits ‘frustration’ at Graham Potter sacking

18:20 , Mike Jones

Bruno Saltor concedes there is a sense of frustration over the lack of patience Graham Potter was given at Chelsea, but he is focused on picking a starting line-up for the first time.

The former Brighton full-back has been thrust into the top job at Stamford Bridge on an interim basis after Potter was dismissed on Sunday evening.

It was only seven months ago Chelsea spent a British record of £21.5million to prize Potter and his backroom staff away from Brighton not long after Todd Boehly and his Clearlake Capital consortium completed their purchase of the west London club.

While results have been poor and Potter won only four of his last 19 Premier League fixtures, the decision to part ways with the ex-Swansea boss means a vastly inexperienced coach will share the touchline with Jurgen Klopp for Tuesday’s visit of Liverpool.

Chelsea interim manager Bruno Saltor admits ‘frustration’ at Graham Potter sacking

Chelsea vs Liverpool prediction

18:15 , Mike Jones

This is a tough match to call given the poor form from both teams. Chelsea have home advantage but no manager following Graham Potter’s sacking. Interim boss, Bruno Saltor, is taking charge and will want to impose his style on the team.

Liverpool have quality players and when they’re on top form they can be a handful. Jurgen Klopp’s job is to get them to bounce back from a heavy defeat against Man City and hopefully pile more misery onto Chelsea.

Chelsea 0 -1 Liverpool

Chelsea vs Liverpool predicted line-ups

18:10 , Mike Jones

Chelsea XI: Kepa; Badiashile, Koulibaly, Fofana; James, Enzo, Kante, Chilwell; Felix, Mudryk; Havertz

Liverpool XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk, Konate, Robertson; Henderson, Fabinho, Elliot; Gakpo, Nunez, Salah

What is the early team news?

18:05 , Mike Jones

Chelsea remain without Thiago Silva, Cesar Azpilacueta and Edouard Mendy. However, in his last press conference as Chelsea boss, Potter had indicated that Raheem Sterling and Wesley Fofana could feature on Tuesday. N’Golo Kante made his first Premier League appearance since August against Aston Villa on Saturday and could have a bigger role to play.

Liverpool’s frontline will be bolstered by the return of Luis Diaz, who could make his first Premier League appearance since October. Darwin Nunez who missed Uruguay’s games over the international break through injury was restricted to a role on the bench for the game against Man City but could be in line to start against Chelsea. Thiago, Naby Keita and Stefan Bajcetic remain long-term absences.

How to watch Chelsea vs Liverpool

18:00 , Mike Jones

Chelsea vs Liverpool is due to kick off at 8pm on Tuesday 4th April at Stamford Bridge in London.

Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the Premier League match live on Sky Sports Main Event and Premier League, with coverage from 7pm.

Subscribers can stream the game on Sky Go.

Chelsea vs Liverpool

16:54 , Mike Jones

Good evening and welcome to The Independent’s coverage of tonight’s Premier League action. There are four games this evening as Bournemouth take on Brighton, Leeds host Nottingham Forest, Leicester face Aston Villa and Chelsea play Liverpool.

Our focus is going to be on the action at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea prepare for life after Graham Potter. The Englishman was sacked on Sunday evening after a run of poor results culminated in a 2-0 loss at home to Aston Villa.

After spending heavily in the two transfer windows since Todd Boehly’s consortium bought the club, Chelsea have gone backwards on the pitch. They’re in the bottom half of the table and their only hope of a successful season means they need to defeat Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals.

Things are almost, but not quite, as bad with Liverpool. After a quadruple-chasing year last season, Jurgen Klopp’s men have gone the opposite way this time around. They’re out of all the cup competitions and face a difficult battle to finish inside the Premier League top four.

A 4-1 loss to Manchester City at the weekend showed how far they have fallen but the Reds can bounce back tonight with a victory away at Chelsea.

With both teams struggling for form this is an intriguing encounter and could go either way. Who will triumph at Stamford Bridge?