Marc Cucurella says Chelsea scored their last-minute winner against Liverpool by exploiting the weakness of one Reds star.
Liverpool were condemned to a third-defeat in a week after Estevao Willian scored in the 96th minute to give Chelsea a 2-1 win at a jubilant Stamford Bridge.
The result means Arsenal, who beat West Ham 2-0 earlier on Saturday, leapfrog the champions to go top of the Premier League ahead of the October international break.
Estevao’s connected with Cucurella’s pinpoint cross in the box, who himself was found by Enzo Fernandez with a perfect cross on Chelsea’s left-flank.
And the left-back later revealed that Enzo Maresca had told them to focus on that area of the pitch late on as he knew Mohamed Salah would not be back to defend there.
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‘We know that Salah is always ready for the counter attack so we practiced that and the manager said that the space might be there [on the right side of Liverpool],’ Cucurella told Sky Sports.
‘We saw that it was the last minute but we kept attacking. I tried to give my last effort and Enzo gave me the ball and I crossed for Estevao.
Metro at the Match: Chelsea 2-1 Liverpool
Metro at the Match returns to bring you all the analysis from the biggest games of the season.
Here are our team’s key takeaways from Chelsea’s dramatic 2-1 win over Liverpool.
Kerkez and Konate at the root of Liverpool woes
Liverpool’s ability to move the ball out from the back has understandably taken a hit with Trent Alexander-Arnold no longer on the scene. But the drop-off is becoming a real worry.
Trent’s replacement Jeremie Frimpong didn’t even get on the pitch Saturday night. Over on the left, Milos Kerkez is not proving to be the oven-ready replacement for Andy Robertson many thought he would be, run ragged in transitional moments and failing to offer a threat going forward.
Criticism around Konate has been growing and Arne Slot’s decision to hook him 10 minutes into the second-half and move Ryan Gravenberch back into defence told its own story. Liverpool may have to replace the France international at the end of the season and right now, that is not looking like a bad idea.
Tony Mogan, assistant sports editor
Moises Caicedo the difference-maker once again
A third goal in seven league games proves Moises Caicedo is far more than just a holding midfielder.
The Ecuadorian has an eye for the spectacular and proved that once again, but he also dominated the midfield battle throughout the ninety.
Ben Fleming, sports reporter
Liverpool have surrendered momentum to Arsenal
Yes, yes, it is early days. But there is mounting evidence to suggest this Liverpool side, now trailing Arsenal at the top of the Premier League, will not be defending their crown this season.
Three defeats on the bounce have highlighted issues that already look extremely worrying. Aside from the catalogue of concerns in defence, Mohamed Salah’s waning influence is becoming a common theme. Debatable assist aside, Alexander Isak was largely anonymous on his second league start.
Arsenal’s win over West Ham earlier in their day moved them top and with the Gunners strengthening across the board in the summer, there are no real weaknesses in the squad. Momentum has shifted towards north London for now.
Tony Mogan, assistant sports editor
Joao Pedro quiet spell continues
After a fast start, it has proved a quieter few weeks for Joao Pedro at the top of the pitch.
The Brazilian has no goals in his last six games and has had just two shots on goal in his last 450 minutes. Enzo Maresca certainly needs his striker to find his shooting boots again.
Ben Fleming, sports reporter
Injuries continue to mount for Enzo Maresca
Three points but another two injuries for Chelsea after Josh Acheampong and Benoit Badiashile were forced off in the second half.
Time will tell as to how serious they are, but Maresca could return from the international break with ten players on the treatment table. The Italian has not looked to blame the Club World Cup, but Chelsea’s shortened pre-season is surely causing issues already.
Ben Fleming, sports reporter
‘I think we deserve it. We started the game very well and then the second-half we started not in the right way again – we need to improve these things.
‘But in general I think we deserve this win. We came through some tough weeks, this moment was amazing and we go into the break with three points, so we are very happy.’
‘Most attackers are not going to track back every single time,’ former Liverpool and Chelsea forward Daniel Sturridge told Sky Sports.
‘I think every team would say that, there are times where you don’t track back. I’ve played in that position as a winger, and sometimes you try to get away with one, but you might not get away with it.’
Liverpool’s right-flank has proven to be a problem this season, with Conor Bradley subbed off at half-time for the second game in a row.
‘They’ve got problems at full-back. They’re missing Trent [Alexander-Arnold],’ former Liverpool star Jamie Redknapp added.
‘They haven’t played the same right-back since the Burnley game. Bradley had a tough 45 minutes.’
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