Mauricio Pochettino’s new Chelsea team battled back to draw 1-1 at home to Liverpool in their Premier League opener on Sunday, as rookie defender Axel Disasi canceled out Luis Diaz’s opener.
Diaz threatened to wreck Pochettino’s first competitive encounter in command of the Blues in the 18th minute, as the Colombian reached out a boot to turn in a defense-splitting cross by Mohamed Salah as the visitors attacked with lightning speed.
Just over 10 minutes later, Liverpool thought they had increased their lead, but Salah was adjudged to be offside before putting the ball past goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, one of four debutants.
Chelsea survived the storm and equalized in the 37th minute when Liverpool failed to clear a corner and France international Disasi, bought from AS Monaco last month, stroked the ball in from close range after a looping Ben Chilwell header.
Chilwell then went around goalkeeper Alison Becker to put the ball in the net, but VAR determined he was offside.
After halftime, Chelsea dominated possession but failed to score a second goal. In the final moments, a deflected attempt by replacement Darwin Nunez almost won it for Liverpool.