Chelsea's Maresca Era Continues: 3-1 Win Over Liverpool

Relive the action from Chelsea's 3-1 win over Liverpool, as the Blues inch closer to a top-four finish in the Premier League.

Liverpool's Underwhelming Display

Liverpool's performance at Stamford Bridge was lackluster, but given their recent title win, perhaps it shouldn't have been a surprise. The Reds might not have given their all, knowing the league outcome was already decided.

With the title secured, Liverpool's main concerns now are maintaining professional pride and ensuring they don't disappoint their fans. Losing the remaining games wouldn't impact their championship status, but it could affect their reputation and fan perception.

Chelsea's Noteworthy Win

Chelsea's 3-1 victory over Liverpool was a well-deserved win, showcasing their skill and determination. This win marked a notable milestone, as Chelsea became the first team to win two Premier League games against teams that have already been confirmed as title winners, following their 1-0 win over Manchester United in May 2013.

“I want to say it’s not an easy decision and there’s a lot of thought and feeling that has gone into it. I’ve been here 20 years now, loved every single minute of it, achieved all my dreams, achieved everything I’ve ever wanted to here.”

Trent Alexander-Arnold’s interview ⤵️

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) May 5, 2025

The match also saw Enzo Fernandez score the opening goal in just 2 minutes and 47 seconds, making it the second-earliest goal conceded by a team in their first game after being crowned Premier League champions. The record remains held by Theo Walcott, who scored against Manchester United in April 2013, just 1 minute and 43 seconds into the game.

Liverpool's defeat marked a rare occurrence, making them the fourth team to lose their first league game after being crowned Premier League champions, following Arsenal in 1997/98, Chelsea in 2005/06, and themselves in 2019/20.

Chelsea's win was significant, ending a 10-game winless streak against Liverpool in all competitions (D7 L3). Their last Premier League victory over the Reds dated back to March 2021, when they won 1-0.

Liverpool's defeat marked a rare occurrence, making them the fourth team to lose their first league game after being crowned Premier League champions, following Arsenal in 1997/98, Chelsea in 2005/06, and themselves in 2019/20.

Chelsea's win was significant, ending a 10-game winless streak against Liverpool in all competitions (D7 L3). Their last Premier League victory over the Reds dated back to March 2021, when they won 1-0.

Tight Race for European Spots

The win will significantly boost Chelsea's push for a Champions League spot, propelling them to fifth place, level on points with fourth-placed Newcastle and just a point behind third-placed Manchester City. The race for European spots remains incredibly tight, with Nottingham Forest just one place and three points behind Chelsea but with a game in hand, and Aston Villa matching Forest's 60 points. Every point earned in the final three games could be crucial, keeping the outcome uncertain until the last whistle.

Palmer's Impactful Performance

Cole Palmer seized the opportunity to end his goal drought, converting a penalty to break a run of 1,162 minutes without a Premier League goal. His last goal had come against Bournemouth in January, and he made sure he didn't have to wait much longer for his next strike.

Palmer's performance was impressive, as he led the team with five shots and created four chances. He also showed his creativity with 13 passes ending in the final third and had eight touches in the opposition box, demonstrating his influence throughout the match.

Cole moves up to 10th in our all time top #PL goalscorers. 🥶 pic.twitter.com/Jlf9BV8578

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) May 4, 2025

Cole Palmer seized the opportunity to end his goal drought, converting a penalty to break a run of 1,162 minutes without a Premier League goal. His last goal had come against Bournemouth in January, and he made sure he didn't have to wait much longer for his next strike.

Palmer's performance was impressive, as he led the team with five shots and created four chances. He also showed his creativity with 13 passes ending in the final third and had eight touches in the opposition box, demonstrating his influence throughout the match.

Chelsea's home record this season is impressive, with 38 points earned (W11 D5 L2). Only Liverpool (44) and Manchester City (39) have won more points at home. This strong form is reflected in their recent performances, with seven wins in their last eight league games at Stamford Bridge.

Enzo Maresca's record at Chelsea is one any manager would be proud of, despite the criticism surrounding his employment. The team's home form has been a key factor in their success, and Maresca's ability to get the best out of his team at Stamford Bridge has been a significant contributor to their strong record.

Lavia and Caicedo's Decisions

Romeo Lavia and Moisés Caicedo had opportunities to join Liverpool, but both players famously turned down Jurgen Klopp's side. Moisés Caicedo was the subject of a British record £111m bid from Liverpool in August 2023, but he later revealed that he had already made up his mind to join Chelsea, suggesting the Reds were “too late” with their interest.

Similarly, Romeo Lavia had agreed personal terms with Liverpool, with the Reds having agreed a £60m fee with Southampton. However, Lavia opted to join Chelsea instead, highlighting both players' preference for the Blues over Liverpool. Their decisions have proven significant in Chelsea's recent performances.

Both Lavia and Caicedo performed well against their former suitors, showcasing their skills. Lavia completed all 23 of his passes, while Caicedo achieved an impressive 93.9% pass completion rate. These statistics were the highest among Chelsea's starting XI and played a significant role in the team's dominance over Liverpool.

Despite it being only his 13th game of the season after an 18-month injury layoff, Lavia displayed calmness and authority on the ball. He led the way in possession won in the final third on two occasions, and no player on either side surpassed this statistic on the day. Lavia's ability to hold the defensive line allowed his midfield partner to push forward freely.

Chelsea's Midfielders Set the Tone

Caicedo performance was impressive, with eight passes in the final third, only surpassed by Palmer and Noni Madueke. He also excelled defensively, winning three tackles and making five clearances, the joint-most for Chelsea. Caicedo won eight out of 11 duels, topping the standings in that category. His all-action display showcased his skills and influence on the game.

It's notable that both Caicedo and Lavia could be playing for Liverpool now, given their past transfer interest. As Arne Slot enjoys a successful first season with Liverpool, Chelsea continues to work on finding their identity, making the contrast between the two clubs' fortunes even more striking.

If Chelsea fails to secure a Champions League spot, Enzo Maresca's future at the club could be uncertain. Losing Maresca might further hinder Chelsea's progress, especially as Liverpool continues to build momentum.

For Lavia, Caicedo, and their teammates, there's no room for excuses if they want to compete at the highest level. To genuinely challenge for the title and participate in the Champions League, they need to consistently match the high performance levels shown by the midfield duo against Liverpool.