Christian Pulisic tried everything in his power to be the “Johnny Raincloud” for Liverpool on the day where the Reds would lift the Premier League trophy for the first time in club history. And damn did Pulisic come close.
The American sat on the bench for the start of the match and had to watch Liverpool open the floodgates in the first half with three goals in the span of 20 minutes.
The scoring frenzy began with Naby Keïta picking up Willian’s loose touch and going for top bins with a thunderbolt of a strike.
Naby Keita put every ounce of his being behind this shot.pic.twitter.com/QhT1NiOb1B
— The18 (@the18com) July 22, 2020
Next up was Trent Alexander-Arnold putting a free kick hex on Kepa Arrizabalaga as he turned the Chelsea goalkeeper into a statue.
A solid free-kick @LFC up 2-0! #MyPLSummer | #LIVCHE pic.twitter.com/iECGV0NY4V
— #MyPLSummer (@NBCSportsSoccer) July 22, 2020
Good to know that Chelsea bought one of the most expensive statues in the world for the price tag of $92.5 million.
Then the set piece curse that plagues Chelsea struck on a corner kick. Questions of handball was capped off with Georginio Wijnaldum smashing in Liverpool’s third.
*very DJ Khaled voice*
ANOTHA ONELiverpool are on fire! #LIVCHE pic.twitter.com/0Zkh4X3GPD
— #MyPLSummer (@NBCSportsSoccer) July 22, 2020
A Chelsea goal at the end of the first half provided some hope for Chelsea fans watching at home crying into their couch cushions.
Some hope for Chelsea just before the break thanks to Olivier Giroud #MyPLSummer | #LIVCHE pic.twitter.com/YOt4HEQvga
— #MyPLSummer (@NBCSportsSoccer) July 22, 2020
Ten minutes into the second half, Roberto Firmino sent Blues fans right back into the cushions courtesy of a superb assist from Alexander-Arnold.
ALL SMILES FOR BOBBY
Firmino's first Premier League goal at Anfield this season was spectacular!#LIVCHE pic.twitter.com/n9I6goUutl— #MyPLSummer (@NBCSportsSoccer) July 22, 2020
Then came the substitution that turned the game on its head. Frank Lampard realized he had a player on his bench that is rated 94 on FIFA and didn’t start him for reasons the universe can’t explain.
The Liverpool players were definitely asking each other, "hey, why do I hear boss music?"
Christian Pulisic vs Liverpool Highlights
Two minutes after Pulisic was substituted into the match he single-handedly dribbled through three Liverpool champions and found Tammy Abraham in the middle for a goal.
Trent Alexander-Arnold on the ground…Fabinho stumbling…Joe Gomez obliterated..Virgil van Dijk fuming…
Christian Pulisic has entered the match.pic.twitter.com/hQj1WWR40N— The18 (@the18com) July 22, 2020
Pulisic nearly scored two minutes later but his effort went wide of the post. His mission to ruin Liverpool’s day wouldn’t be stopped because of this miss. He redeemed his earlier miss with a sublime finish to bring Chelsea within one.
Christian Pulisic ending Trent Alexander-Arnold Pt. IIpic.twitter.com/r6idnKFAEY
— The18 (@the18com) July 22, 2020
The American soccer outlets were all losing their shit at this point as Pulisic was leading a legendary comeback of the ages.
CHRISTIAN PULISIC. NAME A FORT AFTER THAT MAN
— Men in Blazers (@MenInBlazers) July 22, 2020
59'—Pulisic subbed on
61'—Pulisic assist
73'—Pulisic goalTaking matters into his own hands pic.twitter.com/fMJtB5IAQb— B/R Football (@brfootball) July 22, 2020
Christian Pulisic's heat map vs. Liverpool (only 30 minutes) pic.twitter.com/9EUPoXb0k2
— Rob Usry (@RobUsry) July 22, 2020
The only thing more powerful than Pulisic the wizard was Chelsea’s set-piece curse. Even on the Blues’ own set pieces they are vulnerable.
The Goal of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain for Liverpool in video ! #LIVCHE #LFC pic.twitter.com/bdzpg5sLtG
— Liverpool FC (@Reds_ENG) July 22, 2020
Liverpool’s fifth took the wind out of Chelsea and Pulisic’s sails and the attempt to crash the trophy lift party was foiled. Liverpool happily lifted the trophy that had evaded the club for so many years.
Premier League CHAMPIONS! @LFC | #LFCchampions pic.twitter.com/njH2Uu5Vel
— #MyPLSummer (@NBCSportsSoccer) July 22, 2020
Liverpool deservedly won on the day and the season, but some credit goes out to Pulisic for doing everything in his power to kill the mood.
Chelsea fans will now nervously wait for Sunday to see if their club will play in the Champions League next season. Chelsea plays Wolves while Manchester United plays Leicester City in a battle for the top four.