After Moises Caicedo’s outstanding first goal for the Blues was neutralized by Cody Gakpo’s equalizer in the second half, Estevao’s close-range finish in the closing seconds shocked Arne Slot’s team at Stamford Bridge.Liverpool has experienced an unanticipated setback with shocking losses at Crystal Palace, Galatasaray, and Chelsea after starting the season with seven victories across all competitions, including five in the Premier League.
Liverpool, who had a history of scoring late winners themselves in the first few weeks of the season, suffered yet another devastating setback after losing to Palace in the final moments last weekend.
Liverpool is still struggling to come together after Slot’s close-season spending binge, and those late goals had covered the fractures.
Despite spending more than £400 million ($539 million) on new players, the Reds, who finished in second place, once again fell short of the standards that helped them win the championship the previous season.
They have given up the top spot to Arsenal, who defeated West Ham on Saturday and moved up one point.
Chelsea’s comeback put them in sixth place, sparing under-fire manager Enzo Maresca from a third straight league loss.
At the fourteenth minute, Maresca’s team suddenly took the lead.
The 23-year-old midfielder scored a brilliant goal from the edge of the area after Liverpool foolishly gave up possession. Caicedo jumped on the loose ball and went forward unopposed as Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk retreated.
Before Chelsea outbid them for the Ecuadorian in 2023, Liverpool was eager to recruit Caicedo from Brighton, and his third goal this season was the kind of spectacular moment that highlighted their desire.
Liverpool was incredible:
As Liverpool goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili stayed motionless, Alejandro Garnacho nearly added to Slot’s frustration with a curler that struck the outside of the post, and the Reds lacked their typical fluidity.
Dominik Szoboszlai shoved the Argentine to the ground just before halftime, depriving Garnacho of a penalty. The enraged Maresca was given a booking after he got into a fight with Liverpool goalkeeping coach Xavi Valero.
For extended periods, Alexander Isak was without a goal, and when he did, Liverpool’s British record signing headed it wastefully over.
At halftime, Slot substituted Florian Wirtz for Conor Bradley in an attempt to energize Liverpool, and the decision almost immediately paid off.
Mohamed Salah was set up by Wirtz’s deft turn and pass inside the Chelsea area, but the Egypt star missed the mark.
Liverpool didn’t manage to register a shot on goal until the 51st minute, when Robert Sanchez stopped a long-range attempt by Ryan Gravenberch.
Salah wasted another opportunity to score with a clumsy finish that perfectly encapsulated his recent slump in play.
Reece James had to go to center-back after Chelsea lost Benoit Badiashile due to injury, a move that Liverpool swiftly revealed.
Marc Cucurella gave Szoboszlai too much time, and he blasted a cross into the six-yard box.
Isak flicked the ball to Gakpo, who scored his first goal in eight games with a close-range shot after James was sluggish to react.
Josh Acheampong hobbled off to join Chelsea’s long list of defense injuries, compounding Maresca’s troubles.
However, Chelsea came out on top, as Mamardashvili made excellent saves to keep out Estevao and Jamie Gittens before Enzo Fernandez’s glanced header hit the crossbar.
Deep into stoppage time, the Blues’ late assault was rewarded when Estevao stretched to slot home from a sharp angle after Cucurella sent a cross into the six-yard box.
After receiving a red card, Maresca celebrated with his players by running jubilantly along the touchline.
As Liverpool’s most recent defeat sunk home, Slot stood pale-faced on the touchline, Stamford Bridge roaring with victory.
