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It’s strange to be in a position where a game between Chelsea and Liverpool doesn’t matter for the Reds but that’s where Liverpool are.

With four games left to play and the title already secured, Liverpool and their players can put their feet up as Arne Slot and his staff have some extra time to prepare for what they want the team to look like next season.

With the game devoid of much jeopardy, it had a real friendly feel to it as Chelsea ran out 2-0 winners with the game much more important to them.

Nonetheless, here are five things we learnt from the encounter:

1.

Lack of Jeopardy sets tempo

It’s a luxury for Liverpool to have four games that don’t really matter, particularly when you realise the fixture list for the end of the season is Chelsea, Arsenal, Brighton and  a tough game at home to Crystal Palace.

Arne Slot’s men have earnt their weeks off but as a result the games from a Liverpool perspective are devoid of importance and devoid of tempo.

It’s completely understandable and the goal may be to give fringe players or players who have not had many minutes in the season some game time.

Liverpool fans can watch the games without a care in the world, the title is already won.

2.

Another Van Dijk goal

It’s two goals in four games for Virgil Van Dijk at centre-back and he’s proving to get on the end of crosses well.

He’s always a threat inside the box and has a remarkable ability to always meet set-pieces even if he doesn’t score from them.

If there’s one thing Liverpool can improve on in the league it’s scoring from set-pieces as Van Dijk’s header was only their third this entire campaign.

Van Dijk’s aerial ability should be used and targeted more and it’s something Slot can look at doing for the remainder of the games and refine for the season of 25/26.

3.

Guard of Honour

Peter Crouch labelled the guard of honour tradition ’embarrassing’ The Reds have three more games where they can enjoy a deserved guard of honour from other Premier League clubs and one in particular vs Arsenal, the closest title challengers which will be particularly satisfying.

The Guard of Honour was booed by some section of the Chelsea fans, showcasing jealous fans that don’t enjoy the tradition and dislike the fact Liverpool won the title.

The tradition has no inclination of anything on the pitch, but Liverpool fans will enjoy the fact Arsenal, Brighton and Crystal Palace will start games by clapping Liverpool’s achievement.

It may even provide fuel for opposition players to play more intensely.

4.

Midfield Subs show their importance

The difference in intensity, control of the game and tempo was huge once Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister came on.

Their ingenuity and creativity in midfield is always praised, but what many people don’t pay attention to is their aggressiveness and ability to put in a tackle.

Whilst both have picked up yellow cards this season, in a league which is evolving in terms of physicality it’s encouraging from a Liverpool perspective that the midfield area is probably one department where they are covered.

5?

Federico Chiesa’s medal

After the injuries he suffered at Juventus and the callous manner in which his relationship with Max Allegri and Juventus broke down, it’s heartening that Federico Chiesa made his fifth appearance of the season to get a Premier League medal.

He had an effective but short cameo vs Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup final that was in vein.

With the summer coming up and Liverpool still having many attacking players competing for spots, we may get to see more minutes for the Italian and a chance for him to show Arne Slot what he is made of.

With Arsenal to play next week and another guard of honour to be enjoyed for the Reds, Liverpool will love nothing more to pile more misery on Arsenal and Mikel Arteta.

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