Chelsea 2-1 Liverpool – More Late Premier League Drama Unfolds at Stamford Bridge
Liverpool’s frustrating run continued at Stamford Bridge with another last-gasp blow, as Chelsea clinched a dramatic 2-1 win in injury time. The Reds had clawed their way back into the contest after a rocky start, only to watch Estevao snatch victory in the 95th minute.
Three games, three defeats. For a side looking to retain the Premier League title, Liverpool now find themselves wobbling. Arne Slot’s side were second at kick-off, but with Arsenal’s win over West Ham and this latest result, they risk falling further off the pace.
Slow start, familiar problems
There’s no way to sugar-coat it: Liverpool started flat. Alisson Becker’s absence due to injury meant Giorgi Mamardashvili made his Premier League debut in goal, and he was quickly called into action. Moises Caicedo was given far too much time and space and made Liverpool pay, unleashing a thunderous strike from distance in the 14th minute. Mamardashvili got a touch, but the shot had too much venom.
Liverpool struggled to impose themselves in midfield, where Caicedo ran the show. Alexis Mac Allister, familiar with his former Brighton teammate, was outmanoeuvred more than once. The frustration was evident, especially when Conor Bradley picked up a yellow for a rash challenge on Marc Cucurella.
Chelsea nearly doubled their lead before the break. Alejandro Garnacho tumbled in the box, prompting loud penalty shouts, but VAR waved it away. Still, the Blues had a grip on the game. Liverpool looked disjointed and in need of a reset.
Wirtz sparks life but Reds fall short again
Slot acted quickly at the interval. Off came Bradley, on came Florian Wirtz. The German playmaker made an instant impact, lifting the tempo and creating the Reds’ best chance within seconds of the restart. His clever flick found Mohamed Salah, who couldn’t convert.
It was the start of a more promising spell. Salah had another go, this time from a Mac Allister pass, but again failed to hit the target. More changes followed. Andy Robertson and Curtis Jones entered the fray, and Ryan Gravenberch dropped into central defence alongside Virgil van Dijk, likely due to an issue with Ibrahima Konaté.
The momentum finally turned. Alexander Isak, quiet for most of the match, produced a smart touch that set up Cody Gakpo. The Dutchman did what strikers should, blasting into the roof of the net from close range to level the score just after the hour.
With the match now stretched, both sides had chances. Salah continued to fire blanks, Ekitike replaced Isak, and Dominik Szoboszlai picked up a booking after halting a Chelsea break. Slot followed him into the book after arguing a foul on Gakpo wasn’t given.
Estevao stuns Liverpool at the death
It was all set up for a frantic finish. With five minutes left, Wataru Endo replaced Mac Allister, a move that suggested Slot wanted to hold on. But this season, holding on has proven tricky for Liverpool.
Chelsea refused to settle. In the dying moments, Estevao capitalised on space and delivered a devastating finish in the fifth minute of stoppage time. The Brazilian’s first goal for the club could hardly have been better timed.
“Listen, we have entered some kind of opposite land, where our luck with last minute goals has completely reversed, and now it’s the other team who is winning with them.” That quote, from a disheartened supporter, summed up the mood.
Pressure builds for champions
The result makes it three straight losses for Liverpool across all competitions. They’ve looked ragged in recent games against Crystal Palace and Galatasaray, and Stamford Bridge added another chapter to a worrying trend.
Slot will take positives from Gakpo’s goal and Wirtz’s influence, but those are small consolations. Liverpool’s midfield was overrun, their defence exposed at crucial moments, and their attack wasteful. It’s not a crisis yet, but the Premier League champions can’t afford many more slip-ups like this.
Chelsea, by contrast, will feel their rebuild is taking shape under Enzo Maresca. Caicedo was dominant, Estevao announced himself with authority, and the Stamford Bridge crowd left with a result to savour.
For Liverpool, the international break comes at the right time. A reset is overdue. There’s talent in this squad and Slot has already shown his pedigree by guiding them to the title last season, but now comes the real test of character.
