Chelsea

Chelsea player ratings vs Liverpool: Kai Havertz isn't a striker - how much more proof is needed?!

Krishan Davis
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Havertz Chelsea 2022-23
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The Blues' goalscoring woes continued into the post-Graham Potter era as they were held to a 0-0 draw by fellow strugglers Liverpool

Graham Potter may have been relieved of his duties, but Chelsea's ineptitude in front of goal continued on Tuesday as they played out their second goalless draw of the season with fellow underachievers Liverpool.

Kai Havertz and Mateo Kovacic were the main offenders on this occasion, spurning a pair of glorious chances each as the Blues failed to make their dominance pay. When Havertz did have the ball in the back of the next - a rebound from another poor finish - it was chalked off for handball.

N'Golo Kante's first start since August was a major positive as he bossed the midfield in typical fashion, but he was unable to help his team to a much-needed win.

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Here are GOAL's Chelsea player ratings from Stamford Bridge...

Editors' Picks

  1. Goalkeeper & Defence

    Kepa Arrizabalaga (6/10):

    Forced into one good save to deny Joe Gomez from range but largely untested.

    Wesley Fofana (7/10):

    Continued his impressive form from before his most recent injury, putting himself about and making some key interventions.

    Kalidou Koulibaly (7/10):

    Made an important intervention to cut out Henderson's long-range strike bound for an empty net. Equal to every test.

    Marc Cucurella (6/10):

    An improvement on his display against Aston Villa, although he was guilty of misplacing some passes.

  2. Midfield
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    Midfield

    Reece James (6/10):

    Denied a goal by a marginal offside call by VAR. Seemed to rediscover his attacking thrust and made a goal-saving block at the back, although his passing became a little loose.

    Enzo Fernandez (6/10):

    Another calm display from the midfield metronome, although he was unable to influence things much in an attacking sense.

    Mateo Kovacic (5/10):

    Really should have scored early on after rounding Alisson and blazed horribly over early in the second half. Booked after slipping and handballing, which summed it up.

    N'Golo Kante (7/10):

    His first start since August, and he was absolutely everywhere. Great to see him back and looking sharp.

    Ben Chilwell (6/10):

    Didn't hit the heights of some of his recent displays but solid nonetheless.

  4. Attack
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    Attack

    Kai Havertz (5/10):

    Denied from mere yards out and then dragged well wide when clean through. When he finally did score, he did so with his arm. Not his night.

    Joao Felix (6/10):

    Scintillating early run through the Liverpool defence but couldn't finish. A bright spark, but couldn't find a goal.

  5. Subs & Manager
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    Subs & Manager

    Conor Gallagher (6/10):

    All action as usually but a lot of his play reflected the scrappiness of the latter stages.

    Mykhailo Mudryk (5/10):

    Didn't have very long to make an impact and didn't see much of the ball.

    Raheem Sterling (N/A):

    Very late introduction and didn't do much.

    Bruno Saltor (interim) (6/10):

    Picked his first-ever line-up as a coach and his side did well for the most part, but their goalscoring problems are probably above his station.