Liverpool suffer title hangover as Chelsea boost Champions League bid – 5 talking points

CHELSEA 3-1 LIVERPOOL: Enzo Maresca’s side earned three points against the Premier League champions to boost their hopes of securing a place in next season’s Champions League

Liverpool fell to defeat against Chelsea in their first match as Premier League champions. The Reds suffered just their third loss of the season as Enzo Maresca’s side took a strong step in the battle to qualify for the Champions League.

Enzo Fernandez wasted little time in reminding Liverpool that Chelsea were not simply there to offer praise. Just three minutes after applauding the Reds onto the pitch, Fernandez arrived late in the box to convert Pedro Neto’s cross.

Both sides showed flashes but lacked ruthlessness in the final third. Ultimately, Chelsea saw their lead doubled when Virgil van Dijk’s clearance rebounded back via Jarell Quansah and into the net.

And while Liverpool could not be accused of not trying, they did produce a hangover of sorts. A rusty performance that differed to the accomplished outings they have so often delivered.

Van Dijk forced in a header from a 85th-minute corner to force a nervous end to the game for the hosts. But Maresca’s men secured a vital three points as his side won a penalty which Cole Palmer coolly dispatched.

Mirror Football takes a look at some of the talking points from the clash.

READ MORE: Enzo Fernandez makes feelings clear during guard of honour before Liverpool gameREAD MORE: Arne Slot makes Liverpool Federico Chiesa admission as Ryan Gravenberch sacrificed

Playing for places

While some Liverpool players were still in a position to celebrate – Ibrahima Konate was among the substitutes and singing along with Liverpool fans as he warmed up on the sidelines – others perhaps knew they were playing for the futures.

Kosta Tsimikas, Jarell Quansah, Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott, Wataru Endo, Diogo Jota all came into the starting lineup with something to prove. Not an easy feat to gel and play fluidly after so many alterations and a week of celebrating a Premier League title.

Tsimikas found himself in a battle with Pedro Neto, with Liverpool already linked to new left-backs and Andy Robertson reaching the latter stages of his career. It was not a bad offering but also not a resounding success.

Quansah will have a difficult task to overcome Konate in Slot’s plans, and an own-goal and conceding a penalty won’t have helped, while Endo too faces a lot of competition. Elliott has already admitted he faces a battle for his future and showed flashes, and Jones has been well-trusted on occasion but had a tough afternoon.

The feeling with Jota is probably more than he needs to maintain his fitness to prove convincing. It perhaps does not leave substitues Federico Chiesa and Darwin Nunez in a promising position at the club.

Battle for Champions League football

Groans were present at Stamford Bridge before a ball had even been kicked. The Blues are in a battle to secure Champions League football and Newcastle saving a point at Brighton left those at the ground early audibly in pain on Sunday afternoon.

Victory on Sunday saw the Blues draw level with Newcastle on 63 points, and they now sit one behind Manchester City. Chelsea hold a three-point advantage over Nottingham Forest, who have a game in hand, and Aston Villa.

With games against Newcastle and Forest still to come, a place in the top five is well within Chelsea’s hands.

Right or wrong?

For some there’s a discussion to be had over whether such dramatic changes to a starting XI should be allowed in the Premier League. Does it offer Chelsea an advantage compared to their rivals with European aspirations?

READ MORE: Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca puts finger of blame squarely at ‘not good enough’ playersREAD MORE: Howard Webb ready to issue ultimatum to Premier League clubs over referees

Perhaps it does. But there are 38 games to play with all kinds of misfortune and flukey moments and at this stage of the season, though the margins are narrow, you need to earn the right for these moments not to matter. Liverpool have earned the right to rotate, and most of the players they inserted into their team could make it at any of the sides that may have complained at Chelsea’s fortune to play the champions at this stage.

Palmer magic

Earlier this season Cole Palmer was kept quiet by Liverpool amid some stunning form. Curtis Jones shut him down in October to prove his own ability but did not enjoy the same success at Stamford Bridge and was often left chasing a shadow.

There was no goal or assist for Palmer in the opening two goals but he was instrumental and provided the magic in both. The ex-Man City ace first showed a smart spin in his movement to find space and receive the ball to start Chelsea’s opening move.

And ahead of Liverpool’s own goal, he showed his class on the ball to create danger before delivering a good ball into the box which create more than enough confusion.

“Some players are just a joy when you watch them,” said Gary Neville. “Palmer is one of them.”

It’s rare Mo Salah has not looked the best attacker on the pitch when he plays. Palmer took that award on Sunday.

Darwin’s departure

Darwin Nunez did not break into the starting lineup even with Slot’s changes. When he was introduced in the second period, his argument for a Liverpool future didn’t really get any stronger.

With 30 minutes to impress, his most memorable moment was probably a terrible header that failed to bring the champions back into the game.

An exit looks increasingly likely as he does not naturally fit into Slot’s plans and fails to do enough to prove that those plans should be altered for a significant period.

Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.