Liverpool fell to a 3-1 defeat against Enzo Maresca’s side in their first match since being crowned Premier League champions.
Still recovering from their title celebrations the previous week, the Reds looked sluggish, allowing Chelsea to seize the advantage early. ..Continue Reading
Enzo Fernandez opened the scoring within three minutes after a well-executed move involving Cole Palmer and Pedro Neto.
Chelsea extended their lead with 20 minutes remaining when Virgil van Dijk’s attempted clearance ricocheted off Jarell Quansah and into the net for an own goal.
Although Van Dijk managed to pull one back for Liverpool with a well-timed header from a corner, Cole Palmer’s late penalty secured a crucial win for Chelsea in their push for Champions League qualification.
Salah was unusually quiet throughout the game, and Rooney credited Chelsea left-back Marc Cucurella for delivering an outstanding defensive display.
Despite enjoying a spectacular season—having netted 33 goals and provided 23 assists across all competitions—Salah was unable to make his usual impact against his former club.
‘I was really impressed with Marc Cucurella,’ ex-Manchester United and England striker Rooney said on BBC’s Match of the Day 2.
‘I really liked how aggressive he was against Mohamed Salah. He was right in Salah’s face all afternoon, he didn’t give him any time on the ball.
‘Salah can obviously hurt players if he faces you up but Cucurella didn’t let that happen. He kept winning the ball and driving forward, he didn’t really give Salah any joy.
‘I think he won the ball back nine times which was more than any other player on the pitch. He was just really aggressive and I think you need to be against Salah because he will cause you massive problems if you give him time.
‘Mo Salah can make you look silly but Cucurella didn’t fear him at all. I was really impressed with him.’
Chelsea’s decision to spend over £60m on Cucurella in 2022 raised some skepticism, but the Euro 2024 champion has since established himself as a crucial figure in the squad.
Their latest victory brought them level on points with fourth-placed Newcastle United, with just three matches left in the season.
Securing a Champions League spot remains a key goal for Maresca’s team, though Nigel Reo-Coker believes they are not yet equipped to compete at the highest level in Europe.
‘You would have to say they are still in it but there are still a lot more questions about this Chelsea team,’ the ex-Premier League midfielder told BBC Radio 5 Live.
‘Just on the game against Liverpool, they took 45 minutes to get going and then they missed some real good chances.
‘Whether it is the Premier League celebration hangover. Chelsea were let off the hook in this game. It’s going to come down to Newcastle v Chelsea next [weekend] when they play each other.
‘Whoever wins that will be the one who makes it [into the Champions League positions]. I would put my money more so on Newcastle.
‘From their performances and from the way they look. They have won the League Cup this year and they have got tunnel vision.
‘With Chelsea, there are still quite a few questions. I don’t think they are strong enough defensively.’