They came to see if one of England’s prodigious young midfielders could deliver in one of the most consequential fixtures. Curtis Jones duly stepped up, eclipsing Cole Palmer to keep Liverpool top of the Premier League.

Liverpool remain top of the Premier League after a hard-fought 2-1 win over Chelsea at Anfield. Curtis Jones ’ goal was enough to hold off a resurgent Blues side, who had equalised through Nicolas Jackson after Mohamed Salah’s penalty.

Chelsea’s encouraging start under Enzo Maresca has meant there have been fewer references to their spending but they fielded central midfielders who cost some £280m. Two of them, Romeo Lavia and Moises Caicedo, attracted big bids from Liverpool in 2023 and the Ecuadorian, in his defence, created a goal with a defence-splitting pass.