Chelsea vs Liverpool Review
Chelsea secured an important three points in their pursuit of a top five finish in the Premier League by defeating the recently crowned champions Liverpool 3-1 at Stamford Bridge. This victory means Chelsea has only lost one of their last nine league games. After winning the title against Tottenham the previous weekend, Liverpool had little motivation other than pride in their match in south-west London, which was evident as Arne Slot made six changes to the lineup that beat Spurs. In contrast, Chelsea is in a fierce competition for UEFA Champions League (UCL) qualification, and their strong start to the match showcased their determination.
Just three minutes into the match, the Blues took the lead with a sharp attacking play involving Cole Palmer and Pedro Neto, culminating in Enzo Fernández calmly finishing from close range. Shortly after, a pass from Noni Madueke to Fernández could have allowed the captain to increase the score, but the winger opted to take a shot that went wide instead. The visitors then had a spell of sustained possession, but Robert Sánchez remained unchallenged in goal, while Chelsea posed a threat on the counter-attack without forcing Alisson Becker to make a save before halftime.
After the break, Chelsea appeared more threatening, with Alisson stopping a weak shot from Nicolas Jackson. However, it wasn’t long before Enzo Maresca’s team found themselves two goals ahead in a somewhat lucky turn of events. Cole Palmer showcased excellent skill on the right, getting past Kostas Tsimikas, and although his low cross didn’t connect with a teammate, Virgil van Dijk’s clearance hit Jarrell Quansah, resulting in an own goal that found the back of the net.
The goal seemed to energize Liverpool, as Van Dijk headed over the bar before substitute Darwin Núñez, unmarked and from close range, nodded wide. Chelsea then had a great chance to secure the win when Jadon Sancho’s low shot was saved by Alisson, and Palmer hit the post from a difficult angle. These missed opportunities quickly came back to haunt Chelsea, as Van Dijk scored from a corner, creating a tense finish for the home team. The home side appeared nervous in the final moments, but a last-minute foul by Quansah on Moisés Caicedo in stoppage time allowed Palmer to convert a penalty, marking his first goal since January.
The Blues are now three points ahead of Nottingham Forest, having played one more game, and they will prepare for a crucial match against fellow Champions League contenders Newcastle at St. James’ Park. For Liverpool, this match ultimately held no significance, although losing is never pleasant. They have two more games to play before celebrating their title with a parade through the streets of Liverpool.
