Jurgen Klopp has praised injury-hit Everton for their ‘massive’ point at Chelsea, after Rafa Benitez had to name a hastily patched line-up on Thursday, while speaking with BBC Sport.
The Toffees travelled to Stamford Bridge without nine first-team players through injury or illness. Richarlison and Andros Townsend had joined Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Yerry Mina on the sidelines. While Lucas Digne, Demarai Gray and Salomon Rondon had become ill.
Everton’s raft of issues forced Benitez to make five changes from the XI that lost at Crystal Palace on Sunday. The Spaniard handed Ellis Simms his senior debut, Jarrad Branthwaite his first outing of the season and Jonjoe Kenny his first league start since November 2020.
Benitez also recalled Alex Iwobi and Anthony Gordon to his starting line-up and named two goalkeepers on the bench. Only five outfield players sat among their substitutes, as well.
Yet, despite Chelsea dominating much of the game, Everton left south-west London with a point for their troubles. Mason Mount put Thomas Tuchel’s side ahead on 70-minutes. But four-minutes later, Branthwaite drew the Toffees level with his second ever senior goal.
Klopp praises injury-hit Everton for point taken at Chelsea
Chelsea now trail Premier League-leaders Manchester City by four-points and Liverpool by three after Everton fought valiantly amid their injury crisis for Benitez’s side to grab a point.
Klopp admitted after the Reds beat Newcastle United that he struggled to identify most of the Toffees line-up Benitez named. So, the German did not expect his Merseyside rivals to take anything from their visit to Stamford Bridge.
“I saw the Everton line-up today, I don’t know half of the players,” Klopp said.
“I didn’t expect Chelsea would drop points. It is pretty rare I don’t know five or six players of the Everton line-up. So, [for them] to get a point at Chelsea is massive.”
Everton’s point at Chelsea was just their sixth since October 1, having drawn three and won one of their last 11 Premier League fixtures as Benitez continues to manage his injury crisis.
No side has fewer points than the Toffees during the same period. Watford have also taken six points, but from one fewer game after the covid crisis postponed their trip to Burnley.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
