Liverpool Player Ratings vs. Chelsea: Heartbreak Strikes Again as Reds Crumble in Dying Moments
Liverpool suffered another heartbreaking late defeat on Saturday as they were outplayed 2-1 by Chelsea in the Premier League encounter at Stamford Bridge.
The Reds arrived at Stamford Bridge after being humbled by Crystal Palace and subsequently Galatasaray. They had also seen Arsenal overtake them at the summit earlier that day, adding extra pressure before this crucial west London showdown.
Regrettably for Liverpool, matters deteriorated within the opening 14 minutes in London. Moisés Caicedo, who famously turned down a move to Liverpool two seasons prior, put Chelsea ahead in spectacular fashion, thundering his 20-yard effort past Giorgi Mamardashvili into the top corner. For the third consecutive game, Arne Slot's team found themselves trailing.
Liverpool chose to absorb pressure instead of attacking after conceding, finding it difficult to break through Chelsea's aggressive pressing when reaching the attacking third. They could only watch as Alejandro Garnacho struck the post's exterior and managed just two attempts before halftime—with Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexander Isak wasting excellent chances.
Florian Wirtz had started on the substitutes' bench but was introduced to inject energy into Liverpool's play after the interval. A clever backheel immediately following his introduction set up Mohamed Salah, though the former Chelsea player blazed wide with his less favored right foot.
Liverpool gained momentum following the German's substitution and secured a vital leveler just past the hour mark. There was some luck involved in the goal as Isak's touch within the box fell perfectly for Cody Gakpo, but the Dutch forward made no error from four yards, blasting into the net's roof.
As Liverpool observed both Chelsea center-backs leave the field injured, it appeared the conditions were aligning for a turnaround victory. The responsibility fell on the Reds to break down their depleted opponents, yet they instead depended on two brilliant stops from Giorgi Mamardashvili to maintain parity in the closing 10 minutes.
Liverpool seemed to have secured a draw despite Chelsea dominating the finale, but for the second consecutive weekend they succumbed to an injury-time loss. More careless defending was exploited as Estêvão converted the decisive goal in the 96th minute, inflicting Arne Slot's first sequence of three straight defeats as Liverpool manager.
Another disappointing display leaves the Reds in second place entering the international break—and urgently requiring improvement upon their return.
Liverpool Player Ratings vs. Chelsea
*Ratings provided by FotMob*
Player | Rating (Out of 10) |
|---|---|
GK: Giorgi Mamardashvili | 6.5 |
RB: Conor Bradley | 6.0 |
CB: Ibrahima Konaté | 6.6 |
CB: Virgil van Dijk | 6.2 |
LB: Milos Kerkez | 6.4 |
DM: Ryan Gravenberch | 6.6 |
DM: Alexis Mac Allister | 6.8 |
RW: Mohamed Salah | 6.3 |
AM: Dominik Szoboszlai | 7.1 |
LW: Cody Gakpo | 8.0 |
ST: Alexander Isak | 6.9 |
SUB: Florian Wirtz (46' for Bradley) | 6.2 |
SUB: Andy Robertson (55' for Kerkez) | 6.5 |
SUB: Curtis Jones (56' for Konaté) | 6.0 |
SUB: Hugo Ekitiké (74' for Isak) | 6.2 |
SUB: Wataru Endo (87' for Mac Allister) | N/A |
Subs not used: Freddie Woodman (GK), Jeremie Frimpong, Joe Gomez, Federico Chiesa.
Player of the Match: Marc Cucurella
Liverpool Player of the Match: Cody Gakpo
Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Robert Sánchez; Malo Gusto, Josh Acheampong, Benoît Badiashile, Marc Cucurella; Reece James, Moisés Caicedo; Pedro Neto, Enzo Fernández, Alejandro Garnacho; João Pedro.
Subs: Filip Jörgensen (GK), Gabriel Slonina (GK), Jorrel Hato, Landon Emenalo, Roméo Lavia, Estêvão, Jamie Gittens, Facundo Buonanotte, Marc Guiu.