Chelsea has made it a trend of starting games slowly this season, and Liverpool made the hosts pay on Friday night at Stamford Bridge.
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The Reds ended Chelsea’s perfect start after first-half goals from Dejan Lovren and Jordan Henderson stunned Antonio Conte’s men for the 2-1 victory.
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Henderson picked out the top corner from outside the penalty area after 36 minutes, leaving Chelsea keeper Thibaut Courtois with no chance at making the save.
Liverpool took the early advantage in the 17th minute, when Lovren brilliantly placed Philippe Coutinho’s cross past Courtois. For the Bosnian centerback, the goal marked his first for the Reds in the Premier League and his third overall since joining the club.
Chelsea’s backline struggled for much of the opening stanza as David Luiz was thrown into the fire for the first time since returning to the club from Paris Saint-Germain. The Brazilian started in place of the injured John Terry, however, Luiz and Gary Cahill struggled mightily at times in organizing the defense.
The second half started out much better for the Blues, who began to create more chances, and Chelsea found a consolation with 30 minutes remaining.
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Nemanja Matic made a superb run forward at the hour mark to provide Diego Costa with his fifth goal of the Premier League season, giving the Blues a chance down the stretch.
