Liverpool v Chelsea: Live matchday blog
Liverpool secured a point against Chelsea in the final home game of 2015-16 as Christian Benteke headed home a stoppage-time equaliser to cancel out Eden Hazard's first-half opener.
- Read our on-the-whistle match report from Anfield
- Relive the action in our photo gallery
- Watch goals, highlights and reaction on LFCTV GO
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Our snappers joined the lads on their lap of honour this evening. A photo gallery will be coming up on Liverpoolfc.com shortly. Stay tuned for fantastic photos like this...
Liverpool's first-team players and staff embarked on the traditional end-of-season lap of honour at Anfield following the conclusion of tonight's game - and you can watch it for free now in our clip below.
Here's where Liverpool sit in the table heading into the final game of the Barclays Premier League season at West Bromwich Albion on Sunday...
Here are all your stats from tonight's game...
Full Time
Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea
Not a bad way to sign off for the season at Anfield. A late, late equaliser that the Reds more than deserved after creating a host of chances throughout a fairly even game.
Now onto West Brom for the final Barclays Premier League game of the campaign.
Goal
Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea (Benteke)
It's there! Begovic gets a hand to Ojo's cross from the left-hand side but the 'keeper only succeeds in palming the ball onto the head of Benteke, who nods in from close range.
So nearly a goal from Ojo with his first touch! The winger meets Allen's deep ball at the back post but he can only put it back across the face.
Substitution
A final substitution for Liverpool, with Sheyi Ojo coming on for Kolo Toure.
It's fair to say that's an attacking one.
Another chance goes to waste as Moreno chips a ball into the box toward Benteke but Begovic comes to claim.
The Reds are knocking at the door but still Chelsea stand firm.
This time it's Emre Can with a shot from distance, which Begovic does well not to spill.
Substitution
Liverpool getting in on the substitutions as they bring on Christian Benteke and Joe Allen for James Milner and Adam Lallana.
Can these two inspire a late turnaround?
Substitution
That'll be Traore's last act, with the Chelsea man leaving the field now to be replaced by Tammy Abraham.
James Milner, meanwhile, is now on a booking after a late challenge on Cesc Fabregas.
Liverpool lose it at the edge of the Chelsea box and the visitors launch another rapid counter.
Bertrand Toure is on the end of it, but his low shot doesn't beat a diving Mignolet, who does well with the save.
Match shot
A nice wide shot of Anfield.
Lallana volleys wide after Begovic punches clear from a corner and Chelsea are let off again.
The Reds need to get their shooting boots on but there's plenty of time left.
Liverpool still pushing to get back into the game, but Milner's cross after good work from Sturridge is cut out by Mikel and Chelsea regain possession.
Moments later, Lallana plays Sturridge in behind and the striker's effort is well saved by Begovic.
Substitution
The first substitution of the match and it's a change for Chelsea, who switch up their Brazilians to bring on Kenedy for Willian.
Yellow Card
Kolo Toure gets a yellow now for bringing down Eden Hazard. The Reds will need to get to grip with the elusive Belgian if they are to stop Chelsea adding to their lead.
Kick-Off
Liverpool get us back under way after half-time and they are attacking the Kop this half.
Half Time
Liverpool 0-1 Chelsea
A late chance for the Reds before the half ends but, after Milner's free-kick delivery is punched away by Begovic, Can can't turn it in past a packed defence.
Hazard's goal remains the difference at the break.
Yellow Card
Emre Can the first man in the book for a cynical late trip on Eden Hazard.
Another good chance for Chelsea as Traore latches onto a ball in behind and Mignolet hesitates after running out.
Thankfully, the striker can only curl an effort wide and over.
Goal
Liverpool 0-1 Chelsea (Hazard)
It feels like it had been coming. Eden Hazard produces a fine slaloming run into the box and opens his body to finish into the corner and put Chelsea ahead.
A period of concerted Chelsea pressure comes to an end and Liverpool fashion another decent chance straight away.
However, Lallana's heavy touch kills the speed of the break and the left-footed shot that follows from the No.20 is blocked. It was a hard one to take first time, in fairness.
Match shot
Jürgen Klopp watches on during an even start to this evening's game.
A great chance for Firmino after he is played in behind by a fine Sturridge through-ball.
The Brazilian has the beating of Matic when it comes to pace, but a poor touch takes him too wide and he can only find the side-netting when the chance to shoot presents itself.
Chelsea enjoying plenty of possession after responding well to the Reds' initial flurry but the hosts holding firm.
Pedro has perhaps come closest for Guus Hiddink's side, but his attempt after breaking to the edge of the box was well blocked by Toure.
Liverpool piling the pressure on in the early stages, with Lallana the latest to go close with a low half-volley.
In other news, you can now take a statistical look at the match action below with our Opta chalkboard.
The first big chance of the match as Firmino stoops to head a corner goalward, but the ball is deflected off a defender and Chelsea get it away.
Decent start from the Reds, here.
Kick-Off
Chelsea get the game under way - here we go!
Almost there
The warm-ups are complete and Peter McDowall is out on the Anfield pitch reading the teams out as the ground nears capacity.
Come on, Reds!
First time, last time...
With the Main Stand development gathering pace, tonight is the last time the lads will get ready in the old Anfield dressing room before new ones are built over the summer.
Tonight is also the first time Liverpool will sport their brand new New Balance 2016-17 home kit.
Get your Liverpool 16-17 home strip now in our online store.
The teams have arrived...
Together. We were treated to the rather unusual sight of both squads entering Anfield at the same time this evening.
And the opposition
Chelsea: Begovic; Azpilicueta, Mikel, Cahill, Baba Rahman; Fabregas, Matic; Pedro, Willian, Hazard; Traore.
Subs: Amelia, Tomori, Kenedy, Loftus-Cheek, Palmer, Pato, Abraham.
Reds line-up
Liverpool: Mignolet, Clyne, Toure, Lovren, Moreno, Can, Milner, Lallana, Coutinho, Firmino, Sturridge.
Subs: Bogdan, Benteke, Lucas, Allen, Skrtel, Smith, Ojo.
Team news...
...is coming your way at 7pm BST tonight. Stay tuned to this blog for tonight's line-up with news direct from the home team dressing room.
For one last time...
...in 2015-16, Anfield is ready. Here's the current scene.
The gaffer previews Chelsea
Subscribe to LFCTV GO? Well you can watch Jürgen Klopp's pre-Chelsea press conference in full by playing the video above. Not yet subscribed? Find out more here.
Stat attack
- Since the inception of the Barclays Premier League, Liverpool have won 18 and lost 19 of their 47 meetings with Chelsea, while 10 have ended in draws.
- Patrik Berger netted Liverpool’s last hat-trick against Chelsea at Anfield in a 4-2 win back in October 1997.
- There has only ever been one goalless draw between the sides in the league on this ground in 73 league meetings.
For much, much more like this, check out club statistician Ged Rea's look ahead to the game by clicking here.
Club news
Away from Chelsea for a moment, we've just received this update on the return of the iconic Shankly Gates.
View from Stamford Bridge
It's been something of an up and down season for Chelsea, but just how have things changed for the London club since Guus Hiddink's appointment?
As ever, Paul Wilkes has the tactical lowdown on the Reds' next opposition, and you can read it by clicking the picture of Mr Hiddink below.
Emre Can Q&A
Liverpool's No.23 will be hoping to build on an incredible comeback performance against Villarreal by featuring in midfield again tonight.
And, ahead of our final Anfield game of 2015-16, we sat down with the German to talk about Jürgen Klopp, this improvements he has made this campaign and more.
In the manager's programme notes...
“Tonight is our final home game of the season and therefore gives us a chance to say thank you to the supporters for creating so many special moments in our home during this campaign.
“I always think it is important when a season concludes at your home ground that you express the gratitude for all the effort and sacrifices people make in the modern game to support their team.
“Thank you all for the amazing support you have given us all season at Anfield and from a very personal point of view, it is such a great thing to be here and be part of this with you. I pray we have many happy times together in the coming seasons.”
How would you have Liverpool line up to face Chelsea? Former Reds Gary Gillespie and Neil Mellor have their say in this free clip...
LFC Xtra: The last 10
Click here for a look back at how the Reds have performed against Chelsea in their most recent 10 meetings.
Weather
Here it is!
It's an overcast day in Liverpool, with light rain around, though still humid and with temperatures at 16 degrees. That will likely drop later so wrap up if you are coming to Anfield tonight.
We wouldn't mind seeing something similar to this at Anfield this evening..
Take a look at how both sides have fared throughout the season with the use of our Opta tools...
Reds to wear new home kit tonight
Jürgen Klopp's men will wear their brand new 2016-17 home kit for the first time tonight following its reveal and release earlier this week. Get yours now at store.liverpoolfc.com, with free worldwide delivery available until midnight on Thursday.
Sneak peek: Tonight's programme cover
Good morning and welcome
We're now into the final week of Liverpool's incredible campaign and tonight brings the last game at Anfield - with Chelsea the visitors in the Barclays Premier League.
Stay right here throughout the day for all of the build-up to the contest, before we provide live match coverage and reaction to the result, plus the best shots from the team's end-of-season lap of honour and much more.