Three things we learnt as Chelsea sink Liverpool after late Estevao goal

They were pegged back after Cody Gakpo reacted first to equalise for the visitors, but the defending champions failed to grow into the game after that.

Chelsea continued to put pressure on Liverpool's defence, despite the injury chaos ravaging the Blues' squad, leaving a completely altered back-line.

And they got their reward just moments from time, with Brazilian youngster Estevao sneaking in at the back post, catching out a sleeping Andy Robertson, to win the game for the hosts.

Stamford Bridge absolutely erupted, with boss Enzo Maresca sprinting the length of the touchline to join in the jubilant celebrations. The Italian was sent off, a second yellow card, for his extravagant antics, as brilliant and passionate as it was.

It was a game that Chelsea thoroughly deserved to win, while Liverpool faltered yet again to a third defeat in the space of just one week.

With that being said, here are three things we learnt from the match.

Moises Caicedo is that guy

A lot has been said about the rights and wrongs of Chelsea’s rather frivolous spending under the Boehly-Clearlake Capital ownership, but Caicedo is one they have absolutely got right.

The Ecuadorian has been supreme in a Chelsea shirt, even winning the club's Player of the Season last campaign, but this year, he is adding goals to his game, and it is spectacular.

The industry in midfield, the aggressive tackles, the constant energy, and the pinpoint passing have always been Caicedo’s strengths, but thunderous long-range strikes can now be added to that list.

Today’s stunning effort was his third of the season, already his best return, and it was the most impressive and important by some distance.

Picking the ball up mid-way in Liverpool’s half, the 23-year-old took it around Alexis Mac Allister and the referee, Anthony Taylor, before unleashing a venomous strike right into the top corner.

A goal worthy of winning any game - especially one as important as this.

Caicedo continues to improve and impress - he is just 23 years of age after all, but the sky is absolutely the limit. £115million is an astonishing amount of money to pay for any player, but he might, just about, be worth it.

​A huge victory for Chelsea

Chelsea entered tonight’s fixture having lost their last two, and faced the defending Premier League champions - it was a daunting task.

Add to that their injury woes that forced Maresca into starting 19-year-old defender Josh Acheampong, who was superb on the night.

Both starting centre-backs, Acheampong and Benoit Badiashile, then left the field during the game with injuries, leaving Reece James and new arrival Jorrel Hato in a makeshift back line.

With that in mind, Chelsea coming away with a victory and a terrific performance will delight Maresca.

Three losses in a row could have been disastrous for the Italian coach, so avoiding that outcome was crucial.

After Liverpool equalised, it would have been sensible to assume Arne Slot’s side would have gone on to win the game, given their attacking talent and the chaos in the Chelsea back-line.

However, the Blues stood strong and deserved their late winner. Estevao's effort sparked incredible scenes in west London, with an outpouring of emotion from fans and the boss after a difficult couple of weeks.

Maresca will be ecstatic to come away with the three points, encouraged by many performances. Now they can look to build on this as they visit the struggling Nottingham Forest after the international break.

Disjointed Liverpool attack

The international break can't come soon enough for the defending champions.

Liverpool have struggled to click so far this season, particularly going forward - tonight was no different.

First of all, Liverpool did score on the night. But the goal was a somewhat scrappy effort, although Gakpo was certainly on his toes while the Chelsea defence waited on their heels - it does not demonstrate a coherent forward line for the visitors.

The first half saw them find their rhythm only on the odd occasion. Cody Gakpo had a couple of shining moments, while Mohamed Salah’s tremendous outside-of-the-foot delivery into Alexander Isak should have garnered more than a goal kick for Chelsea.

But, once again, Liverpool were disjointed despite the embarrassment of riches on the pitch.

Florian Wirtz, who was benched for the game, added some quality in spurts after his introduction, but not enough.

Most notably, merely seconds after half-time, he performed an outrageous 360-degree spin to divert the ball through to Salah’s path, but the Egyptian uncharacteristically thrashed a poor effort wide.

It wasn’t the first time Salah was unleashed by the brilliance of Wirtz.

With so many additions this summer, expectations were high, but of course, players have to settle in. Fans would have expected a little more than what they have seen so far.

The only arrival that has clearly improved the team is Hugo Ekitike, who has seen himself already relegated to the bench for Isak.

But it isn’t just the new signings; Salah’s form has fallen off a cliff. The heroics from last season are long gone, but there is no doubt he will be back to his best. After all, players don’t just get worse overnight, do they?

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