Chelsea's Champions League hopes were given a massive boost after a 3-1 win over Premier League champions Liverpool. The visitors went a goal behind after only three minutes when Chelsea's Pedro Neto drove down the right flank and cut the ball back to the on-running Enzo Fernandez. The Argentine took a touch with his left foot, before rolling the ball home with his right to put Chelsea one-nil up.
The game was evenly contested after that, although Liverpool looked somewhat less effective without Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai in the starting eleven. Chelsea went further ahead in the fifty-sixth minute, when Jarrell Quansah put through his own net. Cole Palmer outpaced Kostas Tsimikas down the right of the penalty area and centred before Virgil van Dijk's clearance went in off of Quansah.
Liverpool put on four substitutes with 20 minutes to go, but it was too little too late, as Chelsea remained resolute to take victory, with Cole Palmer denied by the woodwork to make it three. Virgil van Dijk made up for his earlier error, with a headed goal, before Palmer finally ended his goal drought by converting a last minute penalty kick
Chelsea v Liverpool Match Statistics
Chelsea
35%
17
7
10
1
Match Highlights
Chelsea Player Ratings
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Chelsea go 1-0 up versus Liverpool, 2025GK: Robert Sanchez - 6/10
Rarely tested throughout the course of the game.
LB: Marc Cucurella - 6.5/10
Held a good contest against Mo Salah, although that, like the game, never really took off.
CB: Levi Colwill - 6.5/10
Like his centre-back partner, had a relatively comfortable afternoon.
CB: Trevoh Chalobah - 7/10
Looked a solid presence in the heart of Chelsea's defence.
RB: Moises Caicedo - 6.5/10
Looked to relish the opportunity to have any physical interaction with Liverpool. Remarkable that he wasn't booked.
CM: Romeo Lavia - 8/10 - Player of the Match
Had a very good game in the middle of the park.
CM: Enzo Fernandez - 7/10
Took his goal well to put Chelsea into the lead.
AM: Cole Palmer - 6.5/10
Looked lively in the second-half and gave his confidence a boost by scoring a late penalty.
RW: Pedro Neto - 7/10
Looked full of running and guile and put a goal on a plate for his teammate Fernandez.
LW: Noni Madueke - 7.5/10
A good performance from the wideman who look sharp and direct throughout.
CF: Nicolas Jackson - 6/10
Looked to take on Quansah at every opportunity without ever looking like scoring.
SUB: Jadon Sancho - 5/10
Given a late cameo appearance for the game already won for Chelsea.
SUB: Malo Gusto - 5/10
Replaced the player of the match, Lavia, as Chelsea took a stranglehold of the game.
SUB: Reece James - N/A
came on with minutes left and too late to leve an impression.
Liverpool Player Ratings
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Virgil van DijkGK: Alisson Becker - 6/10
Not at fault for either of Chelsea's goals.
RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold - 5/10
Brought off early in the second-half for a fairly forgettable performance.
CB: Jarrell Quansah - 6/10
Somewhat unfortunate to see van Dijk's clearance cannon off him into the net.
CB: Virgil van Dijk - 5/10
Went into the book in the second-half for a challenge on Lavia, then smashed a clearance into his team-mate to put Chelsea 2-0 up before scoring a late consolation goal.
LB: Kostas Tsimikas - 6/10
Was left standing during a few duels with Cole Palmer.
CM: Wataru Endo - 6/10
Brought in for a rare start, but frankly only highlighted the fact Liverpool had rested normal starters.
CM: Curtis Jones - 6/10
Struggled to get a foothold in the game early on as Chelsea went 2-0 up.
AM: Harvey Elliott - 5/10
A rare start for the Englishman who wasn't able to capitalise. Taken off with 20 minutes left.
RW: Mohamed Salah - 5.5/10
Not really able to get into the game.
CF: Diogo Jota - 5/10
Fairly ineffective and was taken off before the hour mark.
LW: Cody Gakpo - 6/10
Looked sharp without ever really setting the game alight.
SUB: Darwin Nunez - 5/10
Brought on in the second period without making much of an impression.
SUB: Conor Bradley - 6.5/10
Looked capable after coming on in the second period.
SUB: Dominik Szoboszlai - 6/10
His introduction saw Liverpool improve.
SUB: Alexis Mac Allister - 6/10
Along with Szoboszlai, his introduction made Liverpool look better.
SUB: Federico Chiesa - 6/10
The Italian's late introduction will boost his chances of getting a Premier League winners' medal.