The honeymoon is most definitely over for Antonio Conte after Chelsea slipped to a deserved 2-1 home defeat to Liverpool.
The home side seemed half asleep as the visitors took control from the first whistle and it was no surprise when they opened the scoring. Dreadful communication at the back saw three Liverpool players unmarked at the back post following the half clearance of a free kick with Dejan Lovren firing home. The lead was doubled before half time via a spectacular long range strike from Jordan Henderson.
Chelsea huffed and puffed after the break with Diego Costa pulling one back but they never really looked like grabbing an equaliser. A chastening night for Conte.
Positives
Despite Liverpool's control of the game they created very few actual goal scoring chances. David Luiz did well on his return and Diego Costa was a handful
Negatives
The midfield was completely non-existent as they chased shadows for the majority of the game. There seemed to be no clear patterns of play while the decision making under pressure throughout the team was found severely wanting.
Manager rating out of 10
4 -- Was tactically outwitted by Jurgen Klopp with the team having no answer to Liverpool's pressing game despite having had several days to plan for it. The team was crying out for a creative spark in a horrendously underperforming midfield but Conte waited until the 84th minute to introduce Cesc Fabregas as part of a triple substitution that had desperation written all over it.
Player ratings (1-10, 10=best; players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)
GK Thibaut Courtois, 7 -- Was left stranded for the first goal and had little chance with the second. Made a stunning stop late in the game to keep the score respectable.
DF Cesar Azpilicueta, 6 -- Was bamboozled by Liverpool's high press in the first half and regularly gave the ball away in tight situations. Improved after that but looks vulnerable with Marcos Alonso waiting in the wings.
DF Branislav Ivanovic, 5 -- Undid all his good early season work with a return to the horrific displays of last season. Distribution was awful and positioning was not much better.
DF Gary Cahill, 6 -- Had a strangely efficient afternoon despite the score line. Unfortunately lacked the leadership expected in the absence of John Terry.
DF David Luiz, 7 -- One of the few to escape without criticism by putting in a controlled and authoritative display with good decision making and crisp, effective passing. Just a shame his teammates didn't follow his lead.
MF N'Golo Kante, 5 -- In a match where Chelsea desperately needed someone to break up the play, that France international had little impact. Struggled to have an influence at any point in the game.
MF Nemanja Matic, 5 -- Made a telling contribution in the build-up to Costa's goal but otherwise offered very little especially defensively. Staggering that he stayed on the pitch for so long.
MF Oscar, 4 -- Apart from one flick header to set up a shot for Costa it would have been easy to forget the Brazilian was playing. After a positive start to his campaign this was an untimely step backwards.
FW Eden Hazard, 5 -- With his standards so high, the Belgian will be thoroughly disappointed at his anonymous performance. On nights like this he is supposed to make the difference but he never seemed to get up to speed.
FW Willian, 6 -- There was plenty of endeavour as you might expect including an attempt at a solo run form the edge of his own box. Nevertheless, he produced little of real note and was withdrawn late on.
FW Diego Costa, 7 -- Starved of service all game but probably Chelsea's most effective player. Took his goal well and tried to take the fight to Liverpool but seemed to be on his own in that regard.
Substitutes:
FW Pedro Rodriguez, NR -- Came on and looked busy without really contributing.
FW, Victor Moses NR -- Saw some of the ball without managing to supply the killer pass.
MF, Cesc Fabregas NR -- Had far too little time to effect the game after being brought on far too late.