Liverpool survive Chelsea fightback to win eight-goal thriller before trophy lift

Liverpool finished their Premier League season with a lively 5-3 victory over Chelsea at Anfield, before officially collecting the trophy for their first league title in 30 years.

Chelsea started brightly before a stunning effort from the edge of the penalty area by Naby Keita put Liverpool ahead. In a wild final 10 minutes of the first half Trent Alexander-Arnold doubled Liverpool’s lead with a sumptuous free-kick and Georginio Wijnaldum volleyed in a third, before Olivier Giroud stabbed one home for Chelsea in injury-time.

Roberto Firmino ended his goal drought to make it 4-1 early in the second half. The introduction of Christian Pulisic brought Chelsea right back into it, as he set up a goal for fellow substitute Tammy Abraham before adding a brilliant strike of his own. As Chelsea chased the equaliser Liverpool hit them on the break, with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain finishing the contest with a goal six minutes from the end of normal time.

The victory ensured that Liverpool remained unbeaten at home for the entire campaign. Chelsea have now slipped to fourth in the table and face Wolves at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

Will Chelsea qualify for the Champions League? Chelsea needed a draw tonight to qualify for the Champions League, and when they pulled it back to 4-3 in a frequently shapeless game, that briefly looked a possibility. Instead, their defeat means it will go down to the last day. They will be up against a sixth-placed Wolves team chasing a European place of their own, and will have to defend much better than this if the game between Leicester City and Manchester United requires them to get a result.

Trent-Alexander Arnold (Liverpool) Just as Gareth Bale’s talent was too great to keep him locked in a full-back position, surely Trent Alexander-Arnold’s will do the same. Although he can be devastating as an attacking right-back, his technique, shooting ability and general precision look certain to mean he is employed ahead of the back four in the near future. A stunning free-kick and a laser-guided cross for Roberto Firmino’s goal were brilliant moments tonight from a man who is surely the best young player in the league.

Liverpool (4-3-3): Alisson 6; Alexander-Arnold 8, Gomez 6, Van Dijk 6, Robertson 7; Fabinho 6, Wijnaldum 6, Keita 7; Mane 7, Salah 7, Firmino 7

SUBS: Milner 6, Oxlade-Chamberlain 7, Minamino 6, Origi 6, Jones 6

Chelsea (3-4-3): Kepa 5; Azpilicueta 6, Zouma 6, Rudiger 5; James 7, Jorginho 6, Kovacic 6, Alonso 5; Willian 6, Giroud 6, Mount 6

SUBS: Emerson 6, Hudson-Odoi 7, Pedro, Pulisic 7, Abraham 7

23’ GOAL! Liverpool 1 (Keita 23) Chelsea 0 What a stunning goal! Willian loses the ball deep in his own half, and Keita picks it up and runs at the Chelsea back three. From 22 yards out he unloads a shot that rockets past Kepa, hits the underside of the crossbar and goes in. That's a great strike.

38’ GOAL! Liverpool 2 (Alexander-Arnold 38) Chelsea 0 Mane is brought down by Kovacic just outside the Chelsea area, and how that's not a booking I'll never know. Alexander-Arnold applies the punishment though, by whipping a glorious free-kick over the wall with Kepa rooted, doubling Liverpool's lead!

43’ GOAL! Liverpool 3 (Wijnaldum 43) Chelsea 0 It's three! The ball is whipped in to the front post, and pinballs off three players. It pops up to Wijnaldum ten yards out, who absolutely roofs one past Kepa who was left rooted again! After a good start Chelsea are in danger of being humiliated here.

45+2’ GOAL! Liverpool 3 Chelsea 1 (Giroud 45+2) Well, well! Alonso steps over a bobbling Mount cross, allowing Willian to lash a shot at goal from eight yards out. Alisson saves it but can only parry it into the air, and Giroud jumps in to volley the ball over the line from a yard out.

55’ GOAL! Liverpool 4 (Firmino 55) Chelsea 1 Firmino's long drought is over! After months without a Premier League goal, Trent-Alexander Arnold picks him out with a stunning cross to the edge of the six-yard box. It's easier to miss but Firmino doesn't planting his header into the net. What a cross.

61’ GOAL! Liverpool 4 Chelsea 2 (Abraham 61) Two of the substitutes combine immediately! Pulisic absolutely glides by three Liverpool defenders on the left. His low ball into the six-yard box is perfect, and Abraham tucks it past Alisson for Chelsea's second!

73’ GOAL! Liverpool 4 Chelsea 3 (Pulisic 73) Brilliant from Pulisic! A long punt from Chelsea results in two Liverpool defenders colliding when they go for the ball. Hudson-Odoi gets away on the right, and lofts his cross to Pulisic on the penalty spot. Pulisic chests it down, spins, and lashes a half-volley into the top corner!

84’ GOAL! Liverpool 5 (Oxlade-Chamberlain 84) Chelsea 3 It's five for Liverpool! Robertson leads the break for Liverpool down the left. He fires it into the penalty spot, Jones steps over the ball and Oxlade-Chamberlain side foots it into the net! Kepa got a hand to it but couldn't keep it out.