Wayne Rooney felt Chelsea were the ‘higher team’ for the vast majority of their Premier League draw with Liverpool.
Chelsea had lost six successive Premier League games ahead of their trip to Anfield on Saturday but managed to stop the rot with a 1-1 draw.
The Blues’ miserable run looked set to proceed when Ryan Gravenberch curled home an excellent strike to provide Liverpool an early lead.
But Enzo Fernandez’s cross-come-shot evaded Liverpool goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili and brought Chelsea level before half-time.
Each teams had probabilities to attain a winner after the break however the game finished 1-1, meaning Chelsea may very well be within the bottom-half of the Premier League at the top of the weekend.
Liverpool, meanwhile, stay fourth and move a step closer to qualifying for next season’s Champions League.
Arne Slot’s side were booed off after the stalemate and Rooney says the Anfield faithful were clearly ‘a bit edgy’ throughout a game they were perhaps fortunate to not lose.
‘I assumed Liverpool actually began quite well, got the goal, and then from there Chelsea were the higher team,’ Rooney told BBC Sport.
‘They caused Liverpool big problems, especially Marc Cucurella running behind.
‘The crowd were obviously a bit edgy, which you very rarely get from Liverpool fans. You never wish to see that, nevertheless it comes from not having the season they hoped for, and after spending quite a lot of money.’
In addition to booing on the full-time whistle, Liverpool fans also made their feelings felt when energetic teenager Rio Ngumoha was subbed off with around half an hour remaining.
Explaining that substitution, Slot said: ‘I don’t think it was a few of them – there have been lots that didn’t agree with the change which is totally comprehensible.
‘He was having problems along with his muscles and once I asked him he said he was undecided he could proceed. I knew this might be the response because he’s such a great player.
‘So often in football, people don’t know every part. I’m the manager and I would like to make decisions. Knowing why makes it more sense for people.’
Reacting to the boos at full-time, Slot added: ‘That’s probably got something to do with us not winning. It completely is sensible individuals are disillusioned if Liverpool don’t win.’
Discussing Liverpool’s performance as an entire, the under-pressure Dutchman said: ‘We began off rather well and got a giant probability from a set-piece which was close to creating it 2-0.
‘Unfortunately, like last week, we conceded a set piece. It was such a sloppy goal.
‘The second half I saw a totally different intensity. We went close a number of times. Like so over and over this season, we hit the post and bar.
‘We weren’t in a position to control their players. They played with quite a lot of midfielders today.’
Liverpool face top-four rivals Aston Villa next weekend while Chelsea tackle Manchester City within the FA Cup final.
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