Chelsea 2-1 Liverpool – Extra Late Premier League Drama Unfolds at Stamford Bridge
Liverpool’s irritating run continued at Stamford Bridge with one other last-gasp blow, as Chelsea clinched a dramatic 2-1 win in harm time. The Reds had clawed their approach again into the competition after a rocky begin, solely to look at Estevao snatch victory within the ninety fifth minute.
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Three video games, three defeats. For a aspect seeking to retain the Premier League title, Liverpool now discover themselves wobbling. Arne Slot’s aspect have been second at kick-off, however with Arsenal’s win over West Ham and this newest consequence, they threat falling additional off the tempo.
Gradual begin, acquainted issues
There’s no approach to sugar-coat it: Liverpool began flat. Alisson Becker’s absence resulting from harm meant Giorgi Mamardashvili made his Premier League debut in objective, and he was rapidly known as into motion. Moises Caicedo was given far an excessive amount of time and house and made Liverpool pay, unleashing a thunderous strike from distance within the 14th minute. Mamardashvili bought a contact, however the shot had an excessive amount of venom.
Liverpool struggled to impose themselves in midfield, the place Caicedo ran the present. Alexis Mac Allister, acquainted with his former Brighton teammate, was outmanoeuvred greater than as soon as. The frustration was evident, particularly when Conor Bradley picked up a yellow for a rash problem on Marc Cucurella.
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Chelsea almost doubled their lead earlier than the break. Alejandro Garnacho tumbled within the field, prompting loud penalty shouts, however VAR waved it away. Nonetheless, the Blues had a grip on the sport. Liverpool seemed disjointed and in want of a reset.
Picture: IMAGO
Wirtz sparks life however Reds fall brief once more
Slot acted rapidly on the interval. Off got here Bradley, on got here Florian Wirtz. The German playmaker made an immediate influence, lifting the tempo and creating the Reds’ greatest probability inside seconds of the restart. His intelligent flick discovered Mohamed Salah, who couldn’t convert.
It was the beginning of a extra promising spell. Salah had one other go, this time from a Mac Allister cross, however once more did not hit the goal. Extra adjustments adopted. Andy Robertson and Curtis Jones entered the fray, and Ryan Gravenberch dropped into central defence alongside Virgil van Dijk, possible resulting from a difficulty with Ibrahima Konaté.
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The momentum lastly turned. Alexander Isak, quiet for many of the match, produced a sensible contact that arrange Cody Gakpo. The Dutchman did what strikers ought to, blasting into the roof of the web from shut vary to degree the rating simply after the hour.
With the match now stretched, either side had probabilities. Salah continued to fireplace blanks, Ekitike changed Isak, and Dominik Szoboszlai picked up a reserving after halting a Chelsea break. Slot adopted him into the e book after arguing a foul on Gakpo wasn’t given.
Estevao stuns Liverpool on the demise
It was all arrange for a frantic end. With 5 minutes left, Wataru Endo changed Mac Allister, a transfer that urged Slot needed to carry on. However this season, holding on has confirmed difficult for Liverpool.
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Chelsea refused to settle. Within the dying moments, Estevao capitalised on house and delivered a devastating end within the fifth minute of stoppage time. The Brazilian’s first objective for the membership might hardly have been higher timed.
“Hear, now we have entered some type of reverse land, the place our luck with final minute objectives has utterly reversed, and now it’s the opposite workforce who’s successful with them.” That quote, from a disheartened supporter, summed up the temper.
Strain builds for champions
The consequence makes it three straight losses for Liverpool throughout all competitions. They’ve seemed ragged in current video games in opposition to Crystal Palace and Galatasaray, and Stamford Bridge added one other chapter to a worrying development.
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Slot will take positives from Gakpo’s objective and Wirtz’s affect, however these are small consolations. Liverpool’s midfield was overrun, their defence uncovered at essential moments, and their assault wasteful. It’s not a disaster but, however the Premier League champions can’t afford many extra slip-ups like this.
Chelsea, against this, will really feel their rebuild is taking form beneath Enzo Maresca. Caicedo was dominant, Estevao introduced himself with authority, and the Stamford Bridge crowd left with a consequence to savour.
For Liverpool, the worldwide break comes on the proper time. A reset is overdue. There’s expertise on this squad and Slot has already proven his pedigree by guiding them to the title final season, however now comes the true check of character.