Harrison McMahon broke the deadlock inside two minutes with a powerful finish into the bottom corner. Sol Gordon then added to the scoreline midway through the opening period with a first-time strike beyond Harvey Davies to put the Blues in control.

Minutes later, though, we were pegged back as Will Wright made it 2-1. Although we went in ahead at the break, Liverpool scored another early in the second half through a Jayden Danns free-kick. Both sides pushed for a late winner, but the spoils were shared.

Electric start

Chelsea set the tone immediately, scoring within two minutes through McMahon. Chizaram Ezenwata picked up the ball centrally and turned before playing a pass into McMahon’s path, and the midfielder made no mistake with his low-driven strike across goal.

Ezenwata, who claimed the assist for the opener, caused the Liverpool’s backline constant problems, getting on the ball in deep areas and driving forwards. He wasn’t far away from doubling our lead when he found half a yard on Reds defender Talla Ndiaye, but his effort went just wide.

Adding a second

Our speed constantly caused issues for the visitors' defence, with Mathis Eboue and Gordon enjoying plenty of success down the flanks. It was the latter who doubled our advantage, finishing a well-worked move.

Ezenwata held the ball up well and forced his marker to bring him down. That enabled Kendry Paez to emerge with the ball and burst forward. Just as Ecuadorian looked like he was going to shoot, he instead chopped inside onto his right foot and selflessly passed to Gordon, who dispatched a fine finish past Davies.

Put to the test

Five minutes after Gordon scored, Wright pulled one back for the visitors, capitalising on their only meaningful chance of the half.

After the break, Liverpool pulled themselves back level with Danns converting from a free-kick. He placed his strike into the bottom corner, beyond the outstretched glove of Freddy Bernal.

Liverpool continued to put us under pressure, with Prince Cisse hitting the post and Oliver O'Connor missing a clear-cut chance. We pushed for a late winner but were ultimately forced to settle for a point.

What it means

After six games, this draw leaves us on 13 points in Premier League 2 and in second position. The league leaders are ahead via goal difference with a game in hand.

What comes next?

Cobham Next Gen are kickstart their UEFA Youth League campaign on Wednesday 28 October, when we face Estonian side Flora Tallinn at the Lillekula Stadium. The game gets underway at 5pm BST and supporters can watch the match live with a CFC+ subscription.

The teams

Chelsea (3-4-3): Freddy Bernal; Alfie Osborne, Justin Osagie, Tayo Subuloye; Harrison McMahon, Reggie Watson, Kendry Paez (Harrison Bettoni 81), Leo Black; Sol Gordon, Chizaram Ezenwata, Mathis Eboue (Leo Cardoso 65)
Unused subs: Jack Austin, Riley Ebho, Dante Waite, Calvin Diakite, Ibrahim Rabbaj
Goalscorers: Harrison McMahon 2, Sol Gordon 20
Booked: Justin Osagie 63, Alfie Osborne 73

Manager: Harry Hudson

Liverpool (4-3-3): Harvey Davies; Prince Cisse, Lucas Pitt, Wellity Lucky, Talla Ndiaye; Ben Trueman (Joseph Upton 69’), Michael Laffey (C), Joshua Lambie (Daniel Onanuga 69’); Oliver O’Connor, Jayden Danns (Joseph Bradshaw 69’), Will Wright
Unused subs: Bailey Hall, Alvin Ayman, Ryan Cowley, Patrik Farkas
Goalscorers: Will Wright 25, Jayden Danns

Manager: Rob Page