Liverpool 2-1 Chelsea: Key takeaways for the Blues’ loss

Tosin Adarabioyo replaced the suspended Wesley Fofana, Reece James made his first start since the preseason tour, and Lavia started for Enzo, who was dropped to the bench. Chelsea controlled possession with 58 percent but struggled to create clear chances, while Liverpool defended calmly and countered dangerously; the opposite of the Blues. Salah’s penalty put Liverpool ahead, and VAR overturned another goal and penalty for them.

Jackson equalized early in the second half from a Caicedo pass, but Curtis Jones quickly restored Liverpool’s lead due to another lapse of concentration at the back. Despite late chances from Veiga, Nkunku, and Gusto, Chelsea couldn’t find an equalizer. Liverpool go top, and Chelsea drop to sixth.

Caicedo x Lavia: A true midfield partnership

Romeo Lavia and Moises Caicedo are quickly proving themselves to be a dynamic and effective midfield partnership for Chelsea, raising hopes for the team’s future. Lavia’s performance against Liverpool, despite only recently returning from injury, was a masterclass in composure and control. His ability to maintain possession under pressure and contribute defensively with his tough tackling made him a key figure in Chelsea’s midfield battle.

It’s no surprise to those who watched him in preseason, where he was consistently flying before being sidelined. Even though his minutes were managed, being substituted early in the second half, his impact was undeniable, and many Chelsea fans were left wondering if his presence for the full 90 minutes could have changed the game’s outcome.

On the other hand, Moises Caicedo, after a slow start following his big-money move, is finally showing why Chelsea invested so heavily in him. His recent performances have been nothing short of impressive, particularly with the spotlight on him during the clash against Liverpool—a team that once aggressively pursued him.

Caicedo’s display not only saw him control the tempo of the game but also add an assist for Nicolas Jackson’s equaliser, further cementing his growing influence on the team. Despite early criticism, Caicedo is beginning to silence doubters and prove that he belongs at the heart of Chelsea’s midfield.

With Lavia and Caicedo now in sync, Enzo Fernández faces a new challenge. Though immensely talented, he will need to step up and prove himself if he wants to force his way into this blossoming midfield partnership. The competition is fierce, and Chelsea’s midfield has rarely looked this promising, but Enzo’s qualities make it clear he still has a role to play—if he can rise to the challenge.

Promising performance overshadowed by defensive naivety

Chelsea’s defensive struggles continue to be a major concern, with just two clean sheets in eight Premier League games, and even those were fortunate. Their 1-0 win against Bournemouth, for instance, saw the opposition miss a penalty and hit the woodwork twice. Despite heavy investment in centre-backs over the past few years—just under £200 million spent by the Todd Boehly-Clearlake consortium on players like Kalidou Koulibaly, Wesley Fofana, Benoit Badiashile, and Axel Disasi—the defense still lacks cohesion and a dominant leader. Levi Colwill, promoted from the academy, offers promise, but the recent game against Liverpool highlighted the ongoing issues.

In that match, Colwill made two reckless challenges within the space of a minute, one on Mohamed Salah that narrowly avoided being a penalty, and the other on Curtis Jones, which resulted in a spot-kick that Salah converted. Colwill’s center-back partner, Tosin Adarabioyo, struggled as well, losing his man-marking responsibilities at critical moments, allowing Curtis Jones to make an unmarked run and restore Liverpool’s lead after Nicolas Jackson had equalized. To make matters worse, Chelsea’s defensive frailties were further exposed when the backline failed to execute an offside trap, leading to Liverpool’s second goal.

While it’s true that Chelsea’s defense performed better than in their 4-1 defeat at Anfield nine months ago, the same issues persist—lapses in concentration and poor decision-making at crucial moments. The defense’s inability to deal with pressure in big games is clear, and despite encouraging spells in possession, Chelsea once again left Liverpool empty-handed.

With Malo Gusto still adjusting to his role and Robert Sanchez’s form in goal a topic of debate, Chelsea need a true leader in defense, someone to partner Colwill and bring stability in difficult away fixtures. Until that happens, the team risks turning promising performances into disappointing results.

Sancho, Palmer quite. Jackson on top

Despite Jadon Sancho and Cole Palmer struggling to make an impact, Nicolas Jackson is steadily emerging as a crucial player in Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea. Though the team ended up on the losing side against Liverpool, Jackson once again showed his quality, scoring a goal against one of the league’s top defenses. His ability to find space, even against a physical pairing like Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté, was on full display, and when the opportunity arose, he was clinical. Jackson’s finishing has always been questioned, but this season he seems to have flipped the switch, showing signs of becoming a true goal-scoring striker.

Since joining Chelsea from Villarreal in a £32 million deal, Jackson has quietly built an impressive record against top opposition. Last season, he scored four goals against Tottenham Hotspur and one versus Manchester City. Now, with a goal against Liverpool, he’s added another English giant to his tally, and he’ll have the chance to continue this trend when Chelsea face Manchester United next month. In just over a season at Chelsea, Jackson has already outscored Kai Havertz’s goal tally at the club, signaling his growing importance and development as a striker capable of making a real difference in big games. If he can maintain his finishing consistency, Jackson could very well become the reliable goal threat Chelsea has long been searching for.