In a pulsating Premier League encounter at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea clinched a dramatic 2-1 victory over champions Liverpool on Saturday, October 4, 2025. The match, kicking off at 5:30 p.m. BST, saw Enzo Maresca's side rally late, with Estevao's 95th-minute strike stunning Arne Slot's team and handing them a third straight loss. Indeed, this result propels Chelsea into the top five, while Liverpool now trails Arsenal by a point in the title race—a mini crisis brewing for the Reds.
Cole Palmer's absence loomed large for Chelsea fans. The star forward, sidelined by injury, watched from the stands as his team navigated without his creative spark. Palmer's drought earlier this season had raised eyebrows, but his unavailability here underscored Chelsea's depth issues, even as they adapted with seven changes to the lineup. Predicted starters like Robert Sanchez in goal and a backline featuring Reece James held firm, though the midfield shuffle with Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo looked makeshift at times.
Liverpool, meanwhile, fielded a strong XI including Alisson, Virgil van Dijk, and Mohamed Salah up top, but defensive lapses proved costly. Slot's tactics, aiming for control, faltered against Chelsea's pressing game. Pre-match predictions had favored a draw or narrow Liverpool win—Sports Mole tipped 1-1—but the Blues' resilience flipped the script. Moreover, Chelsea's new signings like Estevao shone, justifying the summer spending spree that has divided opinions.
For those who missed the action, highlights and full replays are available on Sky Sports or via NOW TV subscriptions, with streaming options on the Premier League app for international viewers. Liverpool's next fixture pits them against Manchester United on October 19, a chance to regroup amid fixture congestion. Chelsea, buoyed, face Tottenham midweek in the Carabao Cup.
However, as both clubs eye the international break, questions linger over squad rotations and injury management. This clash, a classic rivalry renewed, reminds us how fragile leads can be in the Premier League grind.