Cesc Fabregas shown straight red as Chelsea defeat Liverpool in California

Chelsea have clinched a 1-0 win over Liverpool in a feisty International Champions Cup clash in California which saw Blues midfielder Cesc Fabregas sent off.

Reds boss Jurgen Klopp gave starts to recent arrivals Ragnar Klavan, Sadio Mane and Loris Karius in a match which was watched by more than 53,000 inside the Pasadena Rose Bowl, the stadium which hosted the 1994 World Cup final.

Antonio Conte's charges were dangerous early on and took the lead just 10 minutes in as Fabregas whipped a corner into a dangerous area and Gary Cahill rose above Marko Grujic to head home from 10 yards out.

Liverpool enjoyed the majority of possession in the first half but rarely opened up the Chelsea defence, save for a 20-yard free kick by Philippe Coutinho in the 23rd minute which Asmir Begovic tipped over the crossbar.

The second period saw little goalmouth action as the tackles became more intense, culminating in Fabregas's studs-up lunge on Klavan 71 minutes in, which led the referee to show the Spain midfielder a straight red card.

Despite the one-man advantage, the Anfield side struggled to create a meaningful chance as the game petered out and Klopp's men suffered their first pre-season defeat of the season.