Chelsea and Liverpool share spoils in frenetic opener

Mauricio Pochettino's first game as Chelsea manager ended in a thrilling and hard-fought home draw against Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool.

Both teams tried to kick off the new season with a bang after disappointing campaigns, with Les Bleus particularly bruised finishing 12th after a humiliating season.

Former Tottenham favorite Pochettino was tasked with turning Chelsea around and oversaw a promising performance in their Premier League opener, with debutant Axel Disasi nullifying Luis Diaz's effort in a 1-0 draw 1.

The teams also saw one goal apiece ruled out for offside in a messy encounter that showed just how much both would benefit from a midfielder like Moises Caicedo or Romeo Lavia.

Chelsea and Liverpool will renew their transfer battle for a number six after Sunday's action-packed clash at sunny Stamford Bridge.

Mohamed Salah saw an early effort shake the crossbar before deftly slipping Diaz to score a goal which the Egyptian star then coolly added, only to be ruled out in the VAR review.

Chelsea made the most of this sloppiness. Disasi equalized from a looping header from Ben Chilwell, who quickly rounded Alisson to score only for VAR to rule him offside as well.

The teams played out an entertaining second half without a winner and Salah looked upset at being sent off as Liverpool looked for a second.

Chelsea finished strong but started Sunday's game with difficulty. Carney Chukwuemeka was cautioned in the fourth minute for a high foot and Diogo Jota hit hard after good work from debutant Dominik Szoboszlai.

Liverpool played to more advantage than the new hosts, with Salah recovering a poor pass from Cody Gakpo, spinning and continuing to loop a right-footed effort from 20 yards off the crossbar.

The former Chelsea player started the afternoon with the bit in his teeth and produced a moment of magic in the 18th minute.

Salah scooped the ball up on the right, ran to hometown debutant Levi Colwill and sparkled a superb left-footed pass for Diaz to slide home.

The traveling hordes of Liverpool - who had been the subject of unsavory chants from some Chelsea fans - celebrated wildly.

The West Londoners pushed for a leveler, but their defense continued to look sensitive.

Thiago Silva produced a key block to deny Salah and soon after, Trent Alexander-Arnold's brilliant pass saw the striker coolly past new Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez.

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It looked like a potentially decisive goal, but the intervention of VAR gave Chelsea hope. Salah had deviated slightly from offside and Pochettino's Blues quickly capitalized.

Alexander-Arnold sent in a threatening cross from Raheem Sterling aimed at Nicolas Jackson behind his own goal and Liverpool failed to deal with the resulting corner.

Chilwell kept his composure as Chelsea kept up the pressure, looping a header in for Disasi to stretch and pass Alisson, sparking celebrations in the 37th minute.

Within two minutes, the volume went up several notches. Enzo Fernandez's push pass allowed Chilwell to round Alisson and drive home what Chelsea thought would be their second, only for VAR to intervene again for offside.

Salah and Jackson had more shots as a frantic first half ended 1-1, with play continuing in the same fashion when play resumed.

There was an audible gasp as new Liverpool skipper Virgil van Dijk whistled just off the edge of the box, before Diaz's weak header attempt hit Jackson's hand and passed behind. He survived a VAR check for a penalty.

Chelsea had chances on the other side. Chilwell forced Sanchez to a save, skipper Reece James sent in a speculative free-kick and Jackson ran to get a shot on Alisson's goal.

Jurgen Klopp rang the changes in search of a winner and Salah looked unhappy to be taken off, ripping the bracelet off his wrist as he angrily walked off the pitch.

Rookie Sanchez nearly handed Liverpool a late winner, with his poor pass cut by Alexis Mac Allister, but Darwin Nunez couldn't capitalize.

The substitute striker saw a curling effort from range narrowly miss in stoppage time, with Chelsea closing in on the counter.

Mykhailo Mudryk circled Alisson after Jackson's lung race, but Ian Maatsen was ousted due to the cut.