It was another goalless 90 minutes between Chelsea and Liverpool as the clubs extended their run to 375 minutes without finding the back of the net outside of a penalty shootout.
The Blues thought they had earned an early lead through Kai Havertz after just three minutes before VAR's intervention saw offside flagged. There were few opportunities from that moment as both side's struggled to find much in the way of attacking quality with any consistency but Chelsea were the team on the front foot for the majority of the opening half.
Liverpool returned to the pitch with more tempo and a great deal more pressure in the second period until Graham Potter opted to utilise Mykhailo Mudryk early in the half, which allowed the Blues to find their feet once again. Momentum swung back and forth without too many clear chances as the game ended in a draw.
READ MORE: Graham Potter explains why Chelsea signed Noni Madueke following classy Mykhailo Mudryk debut
With both teams left somewhat frustrated and moving to 29 points, football.london takes a look at what we learned from the clash.
Lewis Hall is first team
It was not Lewis Hall's most impressive display at Anfield, as he made his first Chelsea start in the centre of midfield. However, it was the fourth successive match that the 18-year-old has started and he did so ahead of Ruben Loftus-Cheek who Potter hinted was ready for a greater role on Saturday afternoon.
Hall may have got caught in possession but continued to show his ability to draw a foul and even had more touches than his senior partner, Jorginho in the opening half of the match. It will be a vital experience for the Cobham graduate in his preferred position for the first time. He may have his work cut out returning to the left side of defence too given Marc Cucurella's performance against Liverpool, but he has proven to be a solid member of the first team during Chelsea's injury crisis.
With two weeks for more players to return to fitness, it would be no surprise if he remained in the squad when Chelsea welcome Fulham to Stamford Bridge, even with Reece James and Ben Chilwell in contention to return to first team action.
Flexible formation
Graham Potter had a rare opportunity to spend a week with his players in the build up to the trip to Anfield and was consquently afforded the time to add some intricacies into Chelsea's plan for the game. The Blues lined up in a 4-3-3 with Conor Gallagher alternating between supporting the right of the centre three and also pressing high in a No.10 position The former Crystal Palace loanee was asked to contribute a lot and did so, though would have left some frustrated with the number of fouls he produced.
Hall's midfield outing will have seen him able to support Marc Cucurella on the left if Mo Salah proved troublesome but it was Hakim Ziyech who found himself with some duties at wing-back. The Morocco international was part of Chelsea's front three but in the first half in particular defended deep alongside Trevoh Chalobah in moments before breaking quickly. The former Ajax star who has been linked with a move away showed some impressive work-rate. With two weeks until another game, Potter may provide his team with more adjustments and tricks up their sleeve.
Still no top 10 win
It's something that Chelsea will need to produce if they hope to climb the Premier League table. A two-week break awaits until their next Premier League opportunity and another chance to claim three points from a team above them in the shape of Fulham.
Nevertheless there are some signs of progress. Thiago Silva was outstanding once again but looked secure in partnership with Benoit Badiashile who was making just his second Premier League start. The duo formed a formidable partnership despite their 17-year age gap. Potter's words following the game made it clear that Silva's role remains vital despite just months remaining on his deal.
“He’s got a football brain that is pretty much above everybody. He understands the game and he’s played for so long at the highest level. The players he’s played with, the players he’s played against, his references are so strong that he can help the team and individuals. He’s got Benoit [Badiashile] next to him, just his second game in the Premier League, and I’m sure he benefits from playing alongside Thiago. Everyone benefits from him. He is a leader on the pitch, leader off the pitch, a really important player."
Silva helped keep Darwin Nunez quiet at Anfield, with both teams lacking a formidable presence leading the line. Kai Havertz hassled the opposition defence well but it was impossible not to feel some reminder of the fact the Blues have issues up front.
Though it must be said, that an offside call was once again perplexing to the naked eye. Havertz appeared behind Silva when the latter hit the post before the German international put the ball in the net after three minutes. However, his foot was ahead of the defender so he was judged offside. Though if Alisson had made the save rather than the post, the goal would have stood.
Chelsea have recorded 22 goals in 20 games, scarcely enough to earn draws, never mind wins. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was utlised off the bench in the game but offered little, with Havertz seemingly having the position sewn up. That will require those in deeper positions to step up if Chelsea hope to improve.
Mykhailo Mudryk is exciting
New signings could certainly help and Mudryk left a very good first impression. Potter was complimentary about the 22-year-old in his preview press conference.
The 47-year-old said: "He’s a young player, an exciting player, fantastic speed and excellent in one-vs-one situations. He can attack the backline and now we’ve just got to help him adapt to the Premier League and adapt to us."
The only point Potter may be incorrect about is the adaptation, given how he flurried across the pitch and punished James Milner, Trent Alexander-Arnold and a series of other Liverpool players with his speed and trickery. Perhaps more than anything else, his ability to generate speed and power in small pockets of space and time was the most impressive skill he exhibited.
It remains early days, but Arsenal might already have a lot for Leandro Trossard to live up to after Chelsea swooped in to beat them to Mudryk's signature.
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