Chelsea’s 18-year-old forward Estevao stunned Premier League champions Liverpool with a 95th minute winner to hand the Reds their third defeat in a row under Arne Slot.
Moises Caicedo’s rocket of a shot from outside the box gave Chelsea a first-half lead at Stamford Bridge and Liverpool survived a penalty scare before the break when Alejandro Garnacho went down cheaply under the challenge of Dominik Szoboszlai.
Liverpool struggled to click in attack, with Mohamed Salah wasting a golden chance after the restart, but Cody Gakpo scrambled in an equaliser from close range following Alexander Isak’s touch in the box.
Despite Chelsea losing both starting centre-backs to injuries, Enzo Maresca’s side were able to find a dramatic winner. Estevao arrived at the back post to send Stamford Bridge into delirium.
Maresca was sent off for his celebrations, as Chelsea bounced back from consecutive defeats, and it leaves Arsenal top of the Premier League table after their 2-0 win over West Ham earlier.
Liverpool head into the international break in a “mini crisis”, according to former midfielder Jamie Redknapp, with the Reds hosting Manchester United in their first game back following their worst run of results under Slot.
“Everyone is just a bit off it. Confidence looks low,” Redknapp said on Sky Sports. “I wouldn’t write Liverpool off just yet but this is a mini crisis because of the way they are playing.”
This Liverpool team doesn’t make sense and latest defeat points to something bigger
Just when the stage seemed set for a launch moment from Liverpool’s new stars, Chelsea’s great hope provided one. Just when the Premier League champions looked like they could snatch another stoppage-time winner, Estevao gave Chelsea what their late siege deserved. Liverpool got what was coming. This was of course the second time in a week that they have lost 2-1 to a late goal, to make it a third successive defeat.
Liverpool are now very much in a classic Premier League crisis. Chelsea are out of one, as Enzo Maresca almost symbolised with that Jose Mourinho-style run down the touchline to celebrate the winner.
Are Liverpool facing a ‘mini-crisis’ after third defeat in a row?
Former Liverpool midfielder Jamie Redknapp believes Liverpool are heading into the international break facing a “mini-crisis” after a third defeat in a row.
He told Sky Sports: “The full-backs aren’t working. If you said to me that Dominik Szoboszlai would be playing at right-back I would say ‘why? He’s one of the best No 8s in the world’.
“But you’re trying to get everyone in the team and keep everyone happy. Everyone is just a bit off it. Confidence looks low. I wouldn’t write Liverpool off just yet but this is a mini crisis because of the way they are playing.”
Arne Slot issues Ibrahima Konate injury update as centre-back limps off Liverpool defeat
The France international limped off early in the second half of the 2-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge, with Ryan Gravenberch dropping into defence from holding midfield.
Slot said that he would have made that change anyway as Liverpool chased an equaliser at Chelsea, but the head coach revealed he was forced to make it earlier than planned.
Konate’s injury will ring alarm bells after Liverpool missed out on the deadline-day signing Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi and went into the season with Virgil van Dijk, Konate and Joe Gomez as established options in defence.
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot: ‘These are the margins’
Liverpool scored last goals to win five matches in a row at the start of the season. They have now lost two games late on, with Arne Slot reflecting on the “margins” that are now not falling Liverpool’s way.
“We were the dominant team but in the last 10-15 mins it was end to end, both teams could have scored. Both teams arrived a lot of times at the 18-yard line,” Slot said.
“These are the margins that don’t fall for us at the moment. we have to work harder to not rely on these margins. as I said, Chelsea, Palace away, these are also teams that ask you a lot of questions.”
Arne Slot unhappy with Liverpool penalty decision
Arne Slot said there are “different standards” in the Premier League following a penalty appeal on Alexander Isak.
The Reds lost 1-0 to Galatasaray in midweek after conceding a penalty and it sounds like Slot believes his team should have had one.
“This week in the Champions League that was a penalty. Different standards in the Premier League.”
The Liverpool boss adds: “Another disappointing loss that’s clear. Similar to the Palace game, although a little different. In the first half, we didn’t play our best football but we created three big chances; they created one.
“In the second half, we created more than enough to score more than one. In the last 10, it was end-to-end. Both teams could have won it. We didn’t, Chelsea did.”
Enzo Maresca sent off for celebrating Chelsea’s last-gasp win over Liverpool
Enzo Maresca was sent off for celebrating Chelsea’s dramatic win over Liverpool as the Italian had his Jose Mourinho moment at Stamford Bridge.
Maresca was shown a second yellow card after he sprinted the length of the touchline to join in with the celebrations after Estevao scored in the 95th minute against the Premier League champions.
Chelsea had lost their previous two matches in the Premier League, with Maresca facing some pressure ahead of the arrival of Liverpool, but his players battled through an injury crisis to claim a memorable result.
Chelsea win a classic in front of Madonna
Estevao Willian struck his first Chelsea goal in the fifth minute of stoppage time as Chelsea stunned Liverpool with a memorable 2-1 win at Stamford Bridge.
After consecutive Premier League defeats this was a Chelsea display marked by guts and fresh ideas, and it ended spectacularly. Marc Cucurella got in down the left channel and crossed low to the far post where the 18-year-old Brazil international slid in to beat Andy Robertson to the ball and squeeze it home amidst uproarious scenes.
They had run Liverpool all over the pitch in the first half, taking the lead through a sublime long-range strike from Moises Caicedo.
Later on, after Cody Gakpo had pounced on Alexander Isak’s lovely controlled flick-on to equalise, they battled to close off avenues of attack as the champions found their confidence and their rhythm.
Having weathered the storm, the game ended with a goal that will be remembered for years – including by Madonna who watched from the stands – and the sight of Enzo Maresca sprinting down the touchline to join his players in celebration.
Chelsea’s new star?
This is Cole Palmer hugging Estevao. Chelsea needed a new talisman today with Palmer sidelined. Estevao stepped up, with his first goal for Chelsea at 18 years old!
Enzo Maresca sent off for celebrations
Enzo Maresca went full Jose Mourinho as Estevao scored Chelsea’s winner, racing down the touchline.
The Italian was booked in the first half for appealing a penalty, he was booked again and sent off for his celebrations.
I think he’ll take it.
FULL TIME! Chelsea 2-1 Liverpool
And where does this leave Liverpool? A third defeat in all competitions, and a second defeat in a row to a last-minute winner in the Premier League.
This is now their worst run under Arne Slot. They are not clicking in attack and are leaking goals in defence.
They host Manchester United after the international break. Oooft. That’s a huge one now.
