Liverpool star admits ‘hard to take’ Chelsea defeat

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·5 ottobre 2025

Liverpool star admits ‘hard to take’ Chelsea defeat

Liverpool’s Gakpo Speaks Out After Chelsea Defeat: “We Played a Little Better”

Liverpool’s frustrating evening at Stamford Bridge ended in heartbreak as Estevão Willian’s stoppage-time strike sealed a dramatic 2-1 win for Chelsea. For Cody Gakpo, who had pulled Liverpool level midway through the second half, the result was “hard to take” after a performance he felt merited more.

Gakpo Reflects on Painful Defeat

The Dutch forward’s goal — his third of the season — briefly gave Liverpool hope of salvaging something from a high-intensity Premier League clash. Yet speaking to Sky Sports afterwards, Gakpo was frank in his assessment of the night.

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“It’s difficult [to take]. I think obviously we play against a really good team,” he admitted. “First half they scored an amazing goal but I think it was level. Second half we fight really hard for the equaliser and we played a little better than them but they were dangerous on the counter. To concede last minute is hard to take.”

Chelsea had taken an early lead through Moisés Caicedo’s thunderous effort, before Gakpo’s equaliser on 63 minutes. However, Estevão’s late intervention — in the fifth minute of stoppage time — proved decisive, deepening Liverpool’s recent woes and leaving Arne Slot’s side heading into the international break with three consecutive defeats.

Liverpool’s Form Raises Concerns

Liverpool’s stumble at Stamford Bridge follows earlier setbacks against Crystal Palace and Galatasaray, ending what had been an impressive start to the season. Having opened the campaign with five straight league victories, they now find themselves slipping behind Arsenal in the Premier League standings.

The reigning champions’ defensive organisation has looked unsteady in recent weeks, while attacking fluency — once the team’s hallmark — has stuttered. Questions are beginning to emerge around the balance of Slot’s system, especially in high-pressure away fixtures.

For Gakpo, however, the message is one of calm resilience rather than panic.

“I don’t want to stay low on confidence. I understand what you mean,” he said when asked about the team’s mentality. “In this time the things don’t fall our way. Maybe five games ago they did fall our way. This is part of football. We have to take it on our chests and keep on fighting. We have to keep pushing.”

Gakpo Calls for Response

There was no mistaking the forward’s awareness of the weight of expectation that comes with representing Liverpool. Gakpo was direct in acknowledging that three consecutive losses are “not good enough” for a club of such stature.

“When you play at a club this big it’s normal when you lose three games in a row that it’s not good enough. We know that as players. We are very much aware of the situation. We know what to do, which is going back to the winning ways.”

The Dutchman’s words reflect both accountability and belief — a combination that Liverpool will need in abundance ahead of their next fixture.

Manchester United Clash Looms Large

After the international break, Liverpool will return to action at Anfield against Manchester United on 19 October — a fixture that could prove pivotal in reshaping their season’s momentum. Historically dominant in this fixture in recent years, Slot’s side will view it as a crucial opportunity to reassert their identity and halt the current slide.

Chelsea’s late victory may have pushed Liverpool into unfamiliar territory, but Gakpo’s composure in the aftermath offers a glimpse of leadership within the squad. His goal, energy and determination underline his growing importance under Slot — and as the Reds look to recover, his voice might just help set the tone for their revival.