Chelsea 3–1 Liverpool: Post-Title Hangover as Reds Fall at Stamford Bridge

Champions Receive Guard of Honour but Lack Sharpness

Just a week after clinching the Premier League title, Liverpool looked emotionally and physically drained at Stamford Bridge. The team, having already celebrated their triumph, lacked their usual motivation and sharpness — and it showed. Manager Arne Slot had already warned about squad rotation, and the most noticeable changes came in midfield: for the first time this season, Endō, Elliott, and Jones started together. It was also Endō’s first start in the Premier League this campaign.

The match began with a symbolic moment — Chelsea gave the champions a guard of honour as Liverpool walked onto the pitch. A beautiful Premier League tradition that was rightly preserved.

Chelsea Expose Liverpool’s Midfield Rotation Early

Once the whistle blew, the drop in quality compared to the usual trio of Gravenberch, Mac Allister, and Szoboszlai became immediately obvious. By the third minute, Chelsea had already sliced through the Reds' midfield with a vertical combination stretching from box to box. Palmer, who’s recently struggled for form, completely unbalanced Curtis Jones in midfield — even forcing him to slip — before Neto delivered a low cross into the area. Enzo Fernández found himself in a perfect position right in front of goal, with enough time to control and calmly finish. Chelsea were up 1-0 almost before the match had even begun.

Despite the early goal, Liverpool's away support remained unbothered. Even as their team trailed, Reds fans could be heard chanting “Champions, champions!” while waving inflatable number “20” signs — a nod to the club’s record 20 top-flight English titles.

Salah Struggles, Palmer Shines

In the first half, Liverpool had over 65% of possession but failed to create real danger. Chelsea, meanwhile, were consistently threatening. At one point, the ball even clipped the crossbar after a lofted cross from Moisés Caicedo, who surprisingly started at right-back. Despite Gusto and James being available on the bench, Caicedo was again deployed wide but often drifted into midfield when Chelsea had the ball.

Salah’s Assist Record in Sight — But Not Tonight

Many expected Mohamed Salah to chase more goal or assist records during the final league matches — especially as he sits at 18 assists this season, just two shy of the all-time Premier League record (20). But this evening, the Egyptian looked off. Even after Liverpool refreshed their attack in the second half with the introductions of Szoboszlai, Núñez, and later Chiesa, Salah’s influence was minimal.

Van Dijk’s Goal Offers Hope — But Only Briefly

The second half mirrored the first: Liverpool controlled possession, Chelsea struck on the break. After a long ball and another mazy Palmer dribble, Van Dijk attempted to clear the ball but struck it into Quansah, and the rebound bizarrely rolled into the net. A freak own goal — and Chelsea were 2-0 up.

Moments later, Palmer found himself with the ball on the edge of the box. Looking up to spot teammates making runs, he surprised everyone with a clever near-post shot. Alisson was caught off guard but got lucky — the ball bounced off the inside of the post and stayed out.

Eventually, Van Dijk made amends by scoring a header from a corner, reducing Chelsea’s lead to 2-1. But any hopes of a comeback were killed off late in the game when Caicedo earned a penalty, coolly converted by Palmer for his second of the match — 3-1 Chelsea.

What This Win Means for Chelsea’s European Ambitions

This result lifts Maresca’s side level on points with Newcastle — both now sit on 63. If Nottingham Forest win their upcoming match against Crystal Palace, they’ll join them on the same tally, tightening the race for European qualification in the final rounds of the season.

Published by Patrick Jane
04.05.2025