Chelsea Deliver Last-Minute Gut Punch as Liverpool’s Title Defence Falters | OneFootball

Premier League thriller leaves Liverpool reeling after late Estevao strike

Good heavens, what a mess of a match for Liverpool. At Stamford Bridge, under the chill October lights, the reigning Premier League champions contrived to lose yet another game in the most Liverpool way possible, at the last possible moment. A 95th-minute winner from Chelsea’s teenage sparkplug Estevao left the Reds floored, their supporters groaning and their title defence looking distinctly wobbly.

After a week that saw them stumble against Crystal Palace and Galatasaray, Arne Slot’s men needed something bracing, something to steady the ship. Instead, they walked headlong into a blue storm and came away with their third straight defeat.

Photo: IMAGO

Early chaos and a touch of Caicedo class

Right from the off, it looked ominous. Alisson Becker, nursing a hamstring injury, was replaced by Giorgi Mamardashvili for his Premier League debut, and the Georgian had an introduction he will not forget. Fourteen minutes in, Moises Caicedo, remember him, the one Liverpool rather fancied but couldn’t sign, unleashed an absolute howitzer. It sailed into the top corner like a heat-seeking missile. Mamardashvili got a fingertip to it, but it was never enough.

That set the tone. Liverpool were rattled, their midfield resembling a sieve, and Alexis Mac Allister could only look on as his former Brighton teammate ran rings around him. Tempers frayed. Conor Bradley lunged in on Marc Cucurella and went straight into the book, while Enzo Maresca’s animated antics on the touchline earned him one as well.

Then came the VAR pantomime: Garnacho down in the box, Chelsea fans baying for justice, referee standing firm. No penalty, no drama, play on. But by half-time, Liverpool were lucky not to be two down.

Wirtz breathes life into limp Liverpool

Slot clearly decided enough was enough. On came Florian Wirtz after the break, and suddenly there was a pulse. Within seconds, the young German conjured a flick of pure mischief to send Mohamed Salah through on goal. Sadly, Salah’s radar appeared to have gone on holiday. Wide. Again.

Still, Liverpool began to find a rhythm. Salah took another swing after a tidy pass from Mac Allister, but that too went begging. Substitutions followed thick and fast. Robertson and Curtis Jones came on, Isak trudged off, and Gravenberch found himself moonlighting as a centre-back.

At long last, something clicked. Alexander Isak cushioned the ball beautifully, and Cody Gakpo pounced like a man possessed, smashing it home from close range. One-one. Relief. Hope. The red end of Stamford Bridge came alive.

Photo: IMAGO

Late drama, cruel ending

And then, of course, came the twist. Liverpool pushed for a winner, Salah kept trying, but nothing fell their way. Szoboszlai tugged a shirt and was booked, Slot barked from the sidelines and joined him in the referee’s book. The manager looked exasperated, muttering into the night air.

As the clock ticked into injury time, Slot sought to shut up shop. Wataru Endo came on to steady things. But football, that most capricious of games, had other ideas. Estevao, a name you’ll be hearing a lot more of, wriggled free in the Liverpool box and buried a low shot in the 95th minute. Cue pandemonium. Stamford Bridge roared as if they’d just won the league.

“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.” You can’t argue with that sentiment. The once-lucky Reds now find themselves cursed by their own trademark drama.

Reality check for the champions

Three consecutive losses. A leaky defence. A misfiring attack. And a manager suddenly looking very mortal. Liverpool have gone from imperious champions to a side struggling for cohesion and confidence. The Premier League table still makes for decent reading, but momentum, that vital invisible currency of football, has deserted them.

Chelsea, meanwhile, are on the up. Enzo Maresca’s blueprint is starting to take shape. Caicedo looked commanding, Estevao looked electric, and the Stamford Bridge crowd left with spring in their step and something they haven’t had for a while, belief.

Liverpool, though, need a reset. The international break can’t come soon enough. Slot’s tactical bravery has impressed since he arrived, but now comes the true test of his mettle. The champions must rediscover the verve and steel that carried them to glory last season, or risk watching the Premier League crown drift away before Christmas.

For now, though, it’s another night to forget. Chelsea march on, Liverpool stagger, and the Premier League remains gloriously unpredictable.