"They need" - Jamie Carragher and Tim Howard agree on Chelsea's biggest problem right now

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Chelsea lost 2-1 to Liverpool at Anfield but still came out of the Premier League clash with some credit

Former Premier League stars Jamie Carragher and Tim Howard believe Chelsea need to invest in a new goalkeeper to go from top-four contenders to title challengers.

The Blues lost for the second time in the league this season as they were beaten 2-1 by Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday afternoon. Mohamed Salah gave the hosts the lead from the penalty spot before Nicolas Jackson hit back early in the second half. However, Chelsea were not level for long as Salah whipped a ball into the box that was taken down by Curtis Jones and flicked past Robert Sanchez to the delight of the Kop.

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Earlier in the game, Sanchez almost gave Cody Gakpo a golden chance in front of the Blues goal early in the first half as the Dutchman closed him down, only for the ball to bounce kindly into Sanchez’s grasp. Former Liverpool player Carragher felt both Reece James and Sanchez should have done more to prevent Jones’ winning goal. He said on Sky Sports after the game: "It's so poor from Chelsea's point. Reece James ambles in there. The goalkeeper is so poor. It was a poor touch from Curtis Jones really, and it's poor from the goalkeeper, Robert Sanchez. Sanchez has got to go and win that ball. Jones should be terrified that a goalkeeper is coming towards him. You have got to get there and hope it hits you in the face and you keep it out. Chelsea need a new goalkeeper if they want to get back to where they want to be."

Howard, who played in the Premier League for Manchester United and Everton between 2003 and 2016, was asked on NBC Sport’s coverage of the game if Chelsea needed a new goalkeeper and replied: “Yeah, oh yeah. I thought they were going to upgrade in the summer but they haven’t.”

Enzo Maresca viewpoint

Sanchez made three saves and had an 80 per cent pass accuracy from 36 attempted balls to teammates. His manager Enzo Maresca was quick to defend him after the game. He said: "I'm very happy with Robert, he's doing fantastic with us. Not only in building from the back but also making saves." On the overall performance, the Chelsea boss added: “I think the performance was very good. You don’t like to lose games or drop points but if you have to choose the way to do it probably this is the way. I’ve been to this stadium many times and seen Liverpool for a long time. It’s not easy and I think overall we controlled the game, and for the most part we dominated. We lost and we are not happy but the performance on the ball and off the ball was very good…I’m relaxed. I’m not happy because we lost but I’m relaxed and I’m happy because of the performance of the team.”

The result leaves Chelsea three points adrift of the top four, after Aston Villa won 3-1 at Fulham on Saturday afternoon. Up next for the Blues is a trip to Panathinaikos before they host Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge next weekend.

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