Liverpool have now lost three matches in a row for the first time under Arne Slot after they succumbed to a 2-1 loss at Chelsea on Saturday evening, ensuring they will go into the October international break only second in the Premier League table. The reigning champions of England can’t have many complaints about the result either, with the Club World Cup winners outlasting them and striking at the death to settle the contest.
What proved to be a manic contest began with a contender for goal of the season. Moises Caicedo, famously of Liverpool interest before his £115m move to Chelsea in 2023, was given the freedom of Stamford Bridge by a retreating Reds backline and essentially non-existent midfield as he approached the penalty area. He didn’t need a second invitation to pick out the top corner of Giorgi Mamardashvili’s net.
Arne Slot had the luxury of throwing on £117m man Florian Wirtz at half-time, and that seemed to kick Liverpool into gear. They found an equaliser when Dominik Szoboszlai’s cross looped up into the path of Alexander Isak, the most expensive man on the pitch at a measly £125m, and his touch fell for Cody Gakpo to fire home. From there, both sides committed to finding a winner, but there could only be one and it turned out to be Chelsea.
Having forced Mamardashvili into a few saves leading into stoppage time, the Blues regrouped and launched one final attack, with Marc Cucurella getting to the last line and cutting the ball right through the six-yard box for Estevao Willian to convert. Just like that, the three points belonged to Chelsea and Liverpool were heading home empty-handed from a game that was in their control.
GOAL breaks down the winners & losers from one of the games of the Premier League campaign so far…