Chelsea's last-minute setup exposed Liverpool's collapse

Marc Cucurella disclosed that Chelsea intentionally exploited a vulnerability in Liverpool’s defense prior to netting the winning goal during injury time, helping The Blues clinch a nail-biting 2-1 win at Stamford Bridge.

The intense home clash ended in dramatic fashion when Estevao Willian scored at 90+6 minutes, delivering Chelsea their third win in a week under Enzo Maresca. Conversely, Liverpool plunged into a crisis with three consecutive defeats.

Estevao’s goal originated from an accurate cross by Marc Cucurella. Before that, the ball was circulated from the left flank involving Enzo Fernandez, who provided the assist that created the opportunity for the Spanish defender.

After the match, Cucurella revealed the team was specifically instructed to target the area Mohamed Salah defends. He told Sky Sports: “We knew Salah is always ready for counterattacks so we practiced attacking that zone, and the coach said there might be space on Liverpool’s right side.”

He described the moment leading to the goal: “We knew it was the final minutes but kept pushing forward. I gave my all and Enzo passed to me, then I crossed for Estevao.”

That play wasn’t accidental but part of a plan Enzo Maresca had his players execute in the final moments. Salah’s failure to track back left Liverpool’s right flank exposed, allowing Chelsea to exploit it.

Former striker for both Chelsea and Liverpool, Daniel Sturridge, agreed with this analysis on Sky Sports: “Most attacking players don’t track back defensively all the time. Every team understands that sometimes you won’t retreat. I used to play as a winger, and sometimes you try to ‘bend the rules’ a bit, but you can’t always get away with it.”

Meanwhile, Liverpool’s defense remains a concern. Conor Bradley was substituted in the second half for the second consecutive match, highlighting instability on the right side. This defeat also cost Liverpool their top spot, as Arsenal, who beat West Ham 2-0 earlier, moved ahead in the Premier League before the October international break.

By scoring from exploiting the opponent’s weakness, Chelsea not only earned crucial points but also sent a warning about their tactical adaptability under Enzo Maresca.

Related articles

Chelsea coach pays a heavy price against Liverpool Coach Enzo Maresca became the focal point after Chelsea’s dramatic win over Liverpool at Stamford Bridge. See more