Liverpool endured their third consecutive defeat as Estevao Willian‘s last-minute goal sealed a 2-1 victory for Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, leaving the reigning Premier League champions struggling to regain their early-season momentum.
After Cody Gakpo‘s equalizer in the second half canceled out Moises Caicedo‘s stunning opener for Chelsea, Estevao’s decisive finish in the dying moments shattered Liverpool’s hopes of salvaging a point.
Following a flawless start with seven straight wins across all competitions, including five in the Premier League, Liverpool have unexpectedly faltered, suffering surprising losses to Crystal Palace, Galatasaray, and now Chelsea.
Last weekend’s late defeat to Palace was a bitter pill, and this latest setback was equally painful for a Liverpool side that had frequently relied on last-gasp goals to secure victories earlier in the campaign.
Those crucial late strikes had masked deeper issues as the team struggles to find cohesion after a significant summer overhaul under Arne Slot.
Despite investing over £400 million ($539 million) in new talent, the second-placed Reds have yet to reach the level that propelled them to last season’s title.
Meanwhile, Arsenal have overtaken Liverpool at the summit, moving a point clear after their win against West Ham on Saturday.
Chelsea’s dramatic comeback lifted them to sixth place, providing some relief for manager Enzo Maresca, who avoided a third straight league defeat.
Chelsea vs Liverpool match” />Chelsea struck first with a spectacular goal in the 14th minute. Liverpool’s careless loss of possession allowed Caicedo to seize the ball and surge forward unchallenged, as defenders Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate hesitated. The 23-year-old midfielder then unleashed a magnificent strike from the edge of the box, curling the ball into the top corner.
This marked Caicedo’s third goal of the season and showcased why Chelsea outbid Liverpool to secure the Ecuadorian’s signature from Brighton in 2023.
Liverpool’s Struggles Continue
The Reds appeared disjointed and lacked their usual rhythm. Alejandro Garnacho nearly compounded Liverpool’s woes with a curling effort that grazed the post, leaving goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili frozen.
Just before halftime, Garnacho was denied a penalty after being pushed down by Dominik Szoboszlai, sparking a heated confrontation between Chelsea’s coach Enzo Maresca and Liverpool’s goalkeeping coach Xavi Valero, which earned Maresca a booking.
Alexander Isak was largely ineffective, missing a key opportunity when he headed over the bar, reflecting his quiet performance.
In an attempt to inject energy, Slot substituted Conor Bradley for Florian Wirtz at the break. The change almost paid off immediately as Wirtz’s deft turn and pass set up Mohamed Salah, who unfortunately fired wide.
Liverpool struggled to create chances, with their first shot on target coming only in the 51st minute when Ryan Gravenberch’s long-range effort was comfortably saved by Robert Sanchez.
Salah’s continued poor finishing highlighted his recent dip in form, as he missed another clear chance.
Chelsea’s defensive injury woes forced Reece James to shift to center-back, a move Liverpool exploited swiftly. Szoboszlai delivered a precise cross into the box, and James’s sluggish reaction allowed Isak to flick the ball to Gakpo, who tapped in his first goal in eight matches.
Adding to Chelsea’s defensive concerns, Josh Acheampong was forced off with an injury, increasing their list of absentees.
Despite Liverpool’s efforts, Chelsea pressed hard in the closing stages. Mamardashvili made crucial saves to deny Jamie Gittens and Estevao, while Enzo Fernandez’s header rattled the post.
In stoppage time, Cucurella’s cross found Estevao, who stretched to slot the ball home from a tight angle, clinching the win for Chelsea.
Maresca celebrated wildly, sprinting down the touchline and receiving a red card in the process, while the jubilant Stamford Bridge crowd roared in approval.
On the sidelines, Slot looked devastated as Liverpool’s troubling run deepened with yet another late defeat.