Chelsea defeated Liverpool 2-1 in their Premier League match on October 4, 2025, at Stamford Bridge. Below is a detailed summary of the match based on available information.
Match Result
- Final Score: Chelsea 2-1 Liverpool
- Goals:
- Chelsea: Moisés Caicedo (14th minute), Estêvão (90+5th minute)
- Liverpool: Cody Gakpo (63rd minute)
- Venue: Stamford Bridge, London
- Referee: Anthony Taylor
- Kick-off: 5:30 PM BST (12:30 PM ET)
Match Summary
- First Half:
- Chelsea took the lead in the 14th minute when Moisés Caicedo scored a stunning long-range strike, blasting the ball into the top left corner after slipping past Alexis Mac Allister.
- Chelsea dominated possession (53.2%) and created more chances in the first half, though Liverpool had opportunities, including two missed chances by Mohamed Salah.
- Liverpool struggled to convert their chances, with their only shot on target in the first half being a missed opportunity.
- Second Half:
- Liverpool equalized in the 63rd minute through Cody Gakpo, who scored from close range after a fine touch from Alexander Isak off a Dominik Szoboszlai cross.
- Chelsea faced challenges with injuries, as defenders Benoit Badiashile (54th minute) and Josh Acheampong (67th minute) were forced off, replaced by Roméo Lavia and Jorrel Hato, respectively.
- Chelsea made a triple substitution in the 74th minute, bringing on Estêvão, Marc Guiu, and Jamie Gittens for Pedro Neto, João Pedro, and Alejandro Garnacho.
- The match remained intense, with both teams creating chances. Chelsea's Enzo Fernández hit the post with a header from an Estêvão cross, while Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones missed opportunities.
- In the 95th minute of stoppage time, Estêvão scored the winning goal for Chelsea, sliding in to convert a low cross from Marc Cucurella, sparking wild celebrations. Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca was sent off for his enthusiastic celebrations, receiving a second yellow card.
Key Match Statistics
- Possession: Chelsea 53.2%, Liverpool 46.8%
- Shots: Both teams had 12 shots, with Chelsea having 6 on target and Liverpool 2.
- Corners: Chelsea 7, Liverpool 2
- Saves: Chelsea 1, Liverpool 4
- Yellow Cards: Chelsea 0, Liverpool 2 (Conor Bradley, Dominik Szoboszlai)
- Red Cards: None (though Maresca was sent off post-match)
- Big Chances Created: Chelsea 2, Liverpool not specified
- Passes Completed: Chelsea 421/505, Liverpool 373/449
Team Lineups
- Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Robert Sánchez; Reece James, Josh Acheampong (Jorrel Hato 67’), Benoit Badiashile (Roméo Lavia 54’), Marc Cucurella; Malo Gusto, Moisés Caicedo; Pedro Neto (Estêvão 74’), Enzo Fernández, Alejandro Garnacho (Jamie Gittens 74’); João Pedro (Marc Guiu 74’).
- Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Giorgi Mamardashvili; Conor Bradley (Florian Wirtz 45’), Ibrahima Konaté (Curtis Jones 56’), Virgil van Dijk, Milos Kerkez (Andrew Robertson 55’); Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister (Wataru Endō 86’); Mohamed Salah, Dominik Szoboszlai, Cody Gakpo; Alexander Isak (Hugo Ekitike 74’).
Key Moments
- 14’: Moisés Caicedo opens the scoring for Chelsea with a long-range strike.
- 45’: Liverpool substitute Florian Wirtz for Conor Bradley at halftime to spark their attack.
- 54’: Chelsea’s Benoit Badiashile is substituted due to injury, replaced by Roméo Lavia.
- 55’: Liverpool’s Milos Kerkez is replaced by Andrew Robertson.
- 56’: Ibrahima Konaté limps off for Liverpool, replaced by Curtis Jones.
- 62’: Cody Gakpo equalizes for Liverpool.
- 67’: Josh Acheampong is substituted for Chelsea due to injury, replaced by Jorrel Hato.
- 74’: Chelsea make a triple substitution, bringing on Estêvão, Marc Guiu, and Jamie Gittens.
- 90+4’: Liverpool’s Curtis Jones misses a chance to win it, shooting high and wide.
- 90+5’: Estêvão scores the dramatic winner for Chelsea, assisted by Marc Cucurella.
- Post-Match: Enzo Maresca is sent off for his celebrations.
Notable Performances
- Moisés Caicedo (Chelsea): Scored the opener and was pivotal in midfield, earning praise as the best player on the pitch.
- Estêvão (Chelsea): The 18-year-old Brazilian substitute scored the decisive goal, marking his first Premier League goal for Chelsea.
- Marc Cucurella (Chelsea): Provided the assist for the winning goal and was exceptional defensively, particularly against Mohamed Salah.
- Cody Gakpo (Liverpool): Scored Liverpool’s equalizer but missed other chances to secure the win.
- Arne Slot (Liverpool Manager): Noted the fine margins costing his team, as Liverpool suffered their third consecutive defeat across all competitions.
Context and Impact
- Chelsea: The victory marked a significant turnaround for Chelsea, who had lost their previous two Premier League matches. Despite an injury crisis (missing players like Cole Palmer, Levi Colwill, and Wesley Fofana), the win boosted their confidence and strengthened the bond between fans and manager Enzo Maresca. Chelsea moved to 8th in the Premier League with 8 points (W3 D2 L2).
- Liverpool: The defeat was Liverpool’s third consecutive loss (including a 1-0 loss to Galatasaray in the Champions League and a 2-1 loss to Crystal Palace). This marked the first time Arne Slot lost three matches in a row in his managerial career. Liverpool remained in second place with 15 points (W5 D0 L2), but Arsenal took the top spot after their win over West Ham.
- Injuries: Chelsea faced defensive issues with Badiashile and Acheampong going off injured, while Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konaté also limped off, raising concerns about a potential centre-back crisis.
Additional Notes
- The match was described as a thrilling, end-to-end encounter, with Chelsea finishing stronger despite Liverpool’s equalizer.
- Liverpool’s Arne Slot highlighted the fine margins in the game, noting both teams had chances to win. He also expressed frustration over a denied penalty appeal for Alexander Isak.
- Chelsea assistant manager Willy Caballero spoke post-match, expressing delight at the win and Maresca’s happiness despite his sending-off.
- The victory was seen as a statement win for Chelsea, while Liverpool’s loss sparked discussions of a “mini crisis” as described by former midfielder Jamie Redknapp.
