A bright but brief cameo appearance from Mykhailo Mudryk offered a shaft of light in an otherwise underwhelming goalless stalemate between Liverpool and Chelsea on Saturday afternoon.
Kai Havertz had the ball in the back of the net after just three minutes. VAR intervened to spot that the German had strayed offside before he stabbed in, showing the clinical edge that an onside Thiago Silva lacked when he hit the post from close range at the start of the move.
After the initial flurry of video intervention, it was a tight first half between two sides that very much looked like they started the day ninth and tenth in the table.
Graham Potter countered Liverpool's quick start to the second half with the introduction of his highly-anticipated acquisition.
Welcome to the Premier League, Mykhailo Mudryk! pic.twitter.com/3FzegjWyZe
— 90min (@90min_Football) January 21, 2023
Such is the swiftness of public discourse in the sphere of football, scores of onlookers leapt upon Mudryk's very first touch as a Chelsea player. Trying to take the ball around the red shirt that faced him, Mudryk couldn't catch up to his heavy touch, much to the glee of non-Chelsea fans.
Mudryk's first touch went straight out of play. pic.twitter.com/SaGIPzrMmC
— Will (@Akolaar) January 21, 2023
However, those of a blue persuasion didn't have to wait long before Mudryk began to justify his lofty billing. The 22-year-old tip-toed through a forest of red shirts in Liverpool's box shortly after his arrival but could only find the side netting. Moments later he demonstrated his electric pace, as advertised, against the wily yet walking James Milner, who was deputising for Trent Alexander-Arnold.
James Milner saw the remainder of his life flash before his eyes the second Mudryk started sprinting lmao
— Luis Paez-Pumar (@lppny) January 21, 2023
Mudryk getting an absolute heritage introduction to Our League in the form of being marked by James Milner
— Duncan Alexander (@oilysailor) January 21, 2023
Gary Neville was one of several former players that were impressed by Mudryk's electric introduction.
Seeing Mudryk for 10 mins I wouldn’t like to play against him!
— Gary Neville (@GNev2) January 21, 2023
I think arsenal should have found a way to pay the money for mudryk 😳 jheeze he looks like a player
— Jermaine Jenas (@jjenas8) January 21, 2023
Jermaine Jenas wasn't the only former Tottenham player that highlighted the potential talent that Arsenal missed out on.
Chelsea’s new head of recruitment, someone called Arsenal, is making an impact.
— Gary Lineker 💙💛 (@GaryLineker) January 21, 2023
His second-half appearance may have lasted barely half an hour, but Mudryk had clearly done enough to set the minds of optimistic onlookers racing.
Mykhailo Mudryk completed more dribbles in 35 minutes (2) than any other Chelsea player.
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) January 21, 2023
Dancing feet. 🕺 pic.twitter.com/wB3Dm3lZHs
That Mudryk is going to cause absolute fucking murder for the entire length of his 27 year contract.
— Adam Rowe (@adamrowecomedy) January 21, 2023
Ultimately, neither Mudryk nor anyone else on the pitch was able to break the deadlock, leaving both sides stranded in mid-table, nine points behind Newcastle in fourth place and a yawning 18 adrift of the league-leading Gunners.
Source : 90min