Liverpool stumble again as Chelsea send them out of the FA Cup

Liverpool's current slump continued as they were comprehensively knocked out of the FA Cup by a Chelsea side who were better organised, sharper and hungrier.

Klopp's team have now lost three of their last four games in all competitions (Atlético Madrid in the Champions League, Watford in the Premier League and now Chelsea in the FA Cup) and look worryingly out of sorts. The fact that they are only four wins away for the Premier League title is a major comfort, but the fans will want their big German coach to shake things up as soon as possible.

Klopp in fact had made six changes in his lineup with Adrian, Williams, Lallana, Origi, Jones and Minamino all starting, but things failed to gel for them out on the Stamford Bridge turf.

Meanwhile for Chelsea 18-year-old Billy Gilmour started in the midfield: "He's playing because he deserves to play", coach Frank Lampard said before the game, and the Scottish youngster was one of the most impressive players on the pitch - taking man of the match at the end of proceedings. Out for the match was Tammy Abraham, with the club having sent him to see ankle specialist in Barcelona after his injury against Bayern Munich.

Kepa Arrizabalaga was back between the sticks, five games after being dropped by Lampard, and he turned in a solid performance as Chelsea delighted the home crowd with a fine win to take them into the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.

The Spanish goalkeeper saved Mané's effort in the first real chance of the game and the Blues got their opener a few minutes later. Willian shot from outside the area after Fabinho gave the ball away and Adrian was guilty of a proper clanger as he let the ball slip past him.

Chelsea deserved their lead, but the game remained extremely open, with both sides keen to attack. Kepa had to look extremely lively again before half time when he produced a stunning triple save denying Minamino, Mané and Jones.

Chelsea dominated the second half

Lampard was forced to replace Kovacic and Willian before the 50th minute, both succumbing to injuries, but Chelsea remained well on top. Mount, who had come on for Kovacic on the stroke of half-time, won a free-kick in the centre just outside the box when he skipped away from Fabinho and he took the shot himself, hitting the top of the bar with a fine effort. Just after that scare for Liverpool, Barkley made it 2-0 with his second goal of the season. He ran from his own half through a disjointed Liverpool defence and his effort from outside the box left Adrian with no chance. Pedro, making his 200th Chelsea appearance, and Giroud had decent chances to make it three, but they both missed.

Liverpool host Bournemouth in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon next, and after that Simeone's Atlético Madrid come visiting with a one goal advantage from the first leg...