The optimistic take is that Chelsea avoided equalling their worst run of league defeats since 1952 and warmed up nicely for next Saturday’s FA Cup final with a merited draw at Liverpool . Optimism, however, was thin on the ground at Anfield, where boos greeted the full-time whistle and Arne Slot’s decision to introduce Alexander Isak for Rio Ngumoha. His team are crawling towards Champions League qualification with dissent for company.

Enzo Fernández’s fortunate free-kick cancelled out an early strike from Ryan Gravenberch in a mediocre contest between two teams enduring mediocre campaigns. The sound of Anfield captured Liverpool’s display to perfection.…