Jose Mourinho failed to get the victory he needed to ease the mounting pressure on him at Chelsea as the Blues were beaten 3-1 at home by Liverpool.

The victory was Jurgen Klopp’s first in the league since becoming Liverpool boss and the German will hope the win can spark of revival of confidence amongst his own struggling squad.

We take a look at how the two managers fared at Stamford Bridge.

Selection

Chelsea striker Diego Costa was passed fit to start up front but Cesc Fabregas and Nemanja Matic were both dropped, with Ramires and John Obi Mikel starting in central midfield. Christian Benteke was left on the bench for Liverpool, meaning Roberto Firmino was handed the role of lone striker in a 4-2-3-1.

Strategy

After scoring early, Chelsea dropped off in the first half, happy to concede possession to Liverpool and hit them on the break. It was a cautious approach, particularly at home, and they paid the price when Philippe Coutinho equalised just before the interval. Liverpool seemed determined to attack down the flanks early on where they overloaded Chelsea’s full-backs and fired crosses into the box but without Benteke, there was nobody to attack the ball. Coutinho’s goal on the stroke of half-time came when James Milner turned down the opportunity to cross and instead worked the ball inside and their more direct style worked much better in the second half.

Changes

Mourinho moved Eden Hazard out to the left at the start of the second half but the change had little effect and the out-of-sorts winger was substituted for the 19-year-old Kenedy in the 59th minute. Klopp brought on Benteke in the second period for Milner and the move paid dividends, as the Belgian laid on Coutinho for his second goal and then put the result beyond doubt with a clinical finish eight minutes from time.

Body language

Mourinho kept his emotions in check when Chelsea opened the scoring early on, signalling a modest wave to the home crowd, who had been chanting his name just moments before. Klopp simply held out his hands in bewilderment as Ramires nodded past Simon Mignolet but the German cut an agitated figure during the opening half an hour, complaining to fourth official Lee Mason and regularly berating Milner and Nathaniel Clyne down his right flank. Klopp twice raged at Mason after handball appeals were turned down and after the second outburst Mourinho pointedly asked the fourth official, “If I do the same?” The Blues boss soon had his say, however, as Mark Clattenburg spared Lucas a second yellow card, with Mourinho sarcastically clapping the referee. Klopp wildly celebrated his side’s second and third goals while Mourinho stared ahead in stunned disbelief.

Overall

This defeat may have significant ramifications for Mourinho, who has now overseen six defeats in the league already this season. Klopp outsmarted the Portugese and will hope this impressive result can kickstart his reign at Anfield.