Chelsea produced arguably their best win of the season so far on Sunday as much-changed champions Liverpool were defeated 3-1 at Stamford Bridge. Cole Palmer ended his long goal drought that had stood at 18 games across all competitions with a last-gasp penalty to set the seal on a momentous victory after Moises Caicedo had been fouled inside the box by Jarell Quansah.
A late header from a corner from Virgil van Dijk had set up a nervy finish in west London, halving Chelsea’s lead after the Liverpool captain had earlier inadvertently seen a clearance hit Quansah and bounce in for an unfortunate own goal. The Blues led after only three minutes when Enzo Fernandez finished off a sweeping move involving Romeo Lavia, Palmer and Pedro Neto, scoring Chelsea’s earliest home Premier League goal since 2017.
The result took Enzo Maresca’s resurgent side level on points with Newcastle in fourth, with a massive game to come at St James’ Park next weekend in the battle for a top-five finish after the home second leg of their Conference League semi-final tie against Djurgarden. The Reds, meanwhile, will look to bounce back against former title rivals Arsenal at Anfield. Follow Chelsea vs Liverpool reaction live below!
Chelsea vs Liverpool highlights
- GOAL! Palmer ends drought with last-gasp penalty
- GOAL! Late Van Dijk header sets up nervy finish
- GOAL! Quansah own goal doubles Chelsea lead
- GOAL! Fernandez fires Blues ahead after three minutes
Chelsea 3-1 Liverpool
Sunday 4 May 2025 18:26Full-time
GOAL! Chelsea 3-1 Liverpool | Cole Palmer 96'
Sunday 4 May 2025 18:24 , George Flood97 mins: The long goal drought is over and a huge three points for Chelsea guaranteed as Alisson dives the right way but hasn’t got a chance of keeping out Palmer’s pacey penalty.
Chelsea 2-1 Liverpool
Sunday 4 May 2025 18:23 , George Flood95 mins: Chelsea are going to see this out with a number of bitty fouls breaking up play and now Bradley getting into it.
Quansah fouls Caicedo and Chelsea have a last-gasp penalty at the death!
This to definitely seal it. Palmer to finally end the goal drought...
Chelsea 2-1 Liverpool
Sunday 4 May 2025 18:20 , George Flood92 mins: Gary Neville names Cole Palmer as his man of the match on Sky Sports.
Can’t argue with that.
He’s been terrific today, despite that goal drought looking set to extend once again.
Chelsea 2-1 Liverpool
Sunday 4 May 2025 18:18 , George Flood90 mins: Chelsea force a corner but their big threats from defence are wisely told to stay at home by Maresca.
We will have FIVE added minutes at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea 2-1 Liverpool
Sunday 4 May 2025 18:16 , George FloodStandard Sport’s Malik Ouzia at Stamford Bridge
Not sure Enzo Fernandez is the player I’d be taking off here.
He’s Chelsea’s best midfielder in terms of ball retention and knows a trick or two when it comes to slowing things down and wasting time.
Chelsea 2-1 Liverpool
Sunday 4 May 2025 18:16 , George Flood88 mins: Chelsea captain Reece James replaces Fernandez.
Chelsea 2-1 Liverpool
Sunday 4 May 2025 18:15 , George Flood86 mins: Chelsea try to quickly restore their two-goal cushion as Palmer’s curling strike forces a save from Alisson before Neto lashes into row z.
Chelsea 2-1 Liverpool
Sunday 4 May 2025 18:15 , George FloodStandard Sport’s Malik Ouzia at Stamford Bridge
It just got very, very nervy in here.
GOAL! Chelsea 2-1 Liverpool | Virgil van Dijk 85'
Sunday 4 May 2025 18:13 , George Flood85 mins: A nervy finish ahead at Stamford Bridge as Van Dijk is again left in way too much space to power home a header from Mac Allister’s corner.
Game on...
Chelsea 2-0 Liverpool
Sunday 4 May 2025 18:12 , George Flood83 mins: Chiesa is on for the fifth Premier League appearance of the season for Liverpool that guarantees him a winners’ medal.
Tsimikas off.
Chelsea 2-0 Liverpool
Sunday 4 May 2025 18:09 , George Flood81 mins: Woodwork!
The influential Palmer’s wicked change of pace leaves Bradley in the dust and he deceives Alisson totally before hitting the post from the toughest of angles.
He’s been superb today, but still that goal just won’t come.
Chelsea 2-0 Liverpool
Sunday 4 May 2025 18:0879 mins: It should be 3-0 to Chelsea as Alisson makes an excellent stop to keep out Sancho’s driven effort.
Chelsea 2-0 Liverpool
Sunday 4 May 2025 18:06 , George Flood78 mins: “You should have signed for the champions” is another chant aimed at Lavia from the away end as he makes way for the fit-again Malo Gusto.
Chelsea 2-0 Liverpool
Sunday 4 May 2025 18:06 , George FloodStandard Sport’s Malik Ouzia at Stamford Bridge
“You could have won the league” the Liverpool fans sing to Lavia as he makes his way past them.
“You stay fit please!” shouts a Chelsea fan near the press box.
Chelsea 2-0 Liverpool
Sunday 4 May 2025 18:05 , George Flood77 mins: Liverpool continue to dominate in search of a reply that would set up a grandstand finish at Stamford Bridge, with a couple more corners coming to nothing.
Now Salah steers a header from Tsimikas’ cross narrowly wide of the far post.
Chelsea 2-0 Liverpool
Sunday 4 May 2025 18:02 , George Flood74 mins: Chelsea have well and truly taken their foot off the accelerator since that second goal.
Liverpool have dominated possession since, but haven’t mustered a shot on target since the ninth minute.
Chelsea 2-0 Liverpool
Sunday 4 May 2025 18:00 , George Flood72 mins: Cucurella heads Gakpo’s cross from the byline behind with Salah lurking.
Maresca has replaced Jackson with Jadon Sancho in the Chelsea attack.
Chelsea 2-0 Liverpool
Sunday 4 May 2025 17:59 , George Flood70 mins: Still not happening for Nunez as he’s now thwarted by a fine last-ditch challenge from Chalobah.
Feels very much like these are likely to be the Uruguayan’s last games in a Liverpool shirt ahead of the summer transfer window.
Chelsea 2-0 Liverpool
Sunday 4 May 2025 17:57 , George Flood68 mins: Salah does well to deliver a fine cross that is headed well wide by an unmarked Nunez.
Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai replace Endo and Elliott for Liverpool.
Chelsea 2-0 Liverpool
Sunday 4 May 2025 17:5465 mins: Lavia clatters into Salah as Liverpool try to mount a comeback here.
Gakpo’s accurate cross is then well headed behind by Colwill with Nunez lurking.
Tsimikas’ corner from the left is cleared as Slot prepares to make more changes.
Chelsea 2-0 Liverpool
Sunday 4 May 2025 17:52 , George Flood62 mins: End-to-end stuff now at Stamford Bridge as Jackson poses a big threat, until substitute Bradley steps up the intensity for Liverpool and invites a couple of key interventions.
Van Dijk has a free header at a corner that he steers over before Jones makes a pivotal challenge to thwart Palmer.
Chelsea 2-0 Liverpool
Sunday 4 May 2025 17:48 , George Flood58 mins: Slot has responded to that second Chelsea goal by sending on both Darwin Nunez and the fit-again Conor Bradley.
Off go Jota and Alexander-Arnold.
Chelsea 2-0 Liverpool
Sunday 4 May 2025 17:48Standard Sport’s Malik Ouzia at Stamford Bridge
I wonder whether that may well have been a penalty to Chelsea if the ball hadn’t ended up in the net.
No matter and Chelsea might just be on their way to a huge win here.
GOAL! Chelsea 2-0 Liverpool | Jarell Quansah OG 56'
Sunday 4 May 2025 17:44 , George Flood56 mins: Chelsea deservedly double their lead!
It’s great work by Palmer to win the ball back quickly high up the pitch and torment Tsimikas.
Endo makes a good intervention from his low cross to deny Madueke before Van Dijk’s clearance clatters into Quansah and in.
What a mess from Liverpool. But Chelsea won’t care a jot!
Chelsea 1-0 Liverpool
Sunday 4 May 2025 17:41 , George Flood54 mins: Chalobah comes out second best in a battle with Jones and is then booked for preventing the resulting free-kick from being taken quickly.
A silly yellow.
Chelsea 1-0 Liverpool
Sunday 4 May 2025 17:40 , George Flood52 mins: Chelsea again just can’t quite release Jackson with that disappointing final ball.
There’s a second goal on offer here if they can just gain a bit of composure in that regard.
Chelsea 1-0 Liverpool
Sunday 4 May 2025 17:39 , George Flood50 mins: Referee Simon Hooper goes into his pocket for the first time today.
Van Dijk into the book for a bad challenge on the foot of Lavia, who had just got to the loose ball first.
The Chelsea midfielder felt that, but VAR John Brooks confirms Van Dijk’s foot was low enough to avoid any further punishment.
Chelsea 1-0 Liverpool
Sunday 4 May 2025 17:37 , George Flood50 mins: The pacey Madueke drops his shoulder and streams down the Chelsea left, but his pass is played behind Jackson and the chance is lost to groans from the home fans.
Chelsea 1-0 Liverpool
Sunday 4 May 2025 17:36 , George Flood49 mins: Chelsea are firmly in the ascendancy again at the start of this second half as a crucial last-ditch intervention from Endo denies Jackson.
Liverpool almost caught cold once more.
Chelsea 1-0 Liverpool
Sunday 4 May 2025 17:3547 mins: Palmer continues to look lively for Chelsea and now Madueke sprints forward before feeding Jackson, who can’t trouble Alisson.
Chelsea 1-0 Liverpool
Sunday 4 May 2025 17:33The players are back out on the pitch and we are underway again at Stamford Bridge.
No changes from Maresca or Slot just yet.
Can Chelsea go on to secure a vital win in the race for Champions League qualification next season?
Chelsea 1-0 Liverpool
Sunday 4 May 2025 17:28 , George FloodA seventh goal of the season from Enzo Fernandez in 41 appearances across all competitions. He also has 13 assists in that time.
3 - Chelsea have scored within the opening three minutes of a Premier League game at Stamford Bridge for the first time since December 2017 against Stoke via Antonio Rüdiger. Flying. pic.twitter.com/ImC5TS2hmL
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) May 4, 2025
Chelsea 1-0 Liverpool
Sunday 4 May 2025 17:19 , George FloodHalf-time
Some more late first-half pressure from Chelsea but it’s tidied up well by Tsimikas, who passes back to Alisson and the Brazilian’s big boot forward invites the referee’s whistle.
Chelsea ahead at the break thanks to that early Fernandez goal.
Chelsea 1-0 Liverpool
Sunday 4 May 2025 17:17 , George Flood45 mins: Into just the one solitary minute of stoppage time added on at the end of this first half.
Chelsea 1-0 Liverpool
Sunday 4 May 2025 17:17 , George FloodStandard Sport’s Malik Ouzia at Stamford Bridge
A little smile from Maresca, who saw the new beefed up Alexander-Arnold charging towards him there and almost ended up ploughed back into his seat.
Chelsea 1-0 Liverpool
Sunday 4 May 2025 17:15 , George FloodStandard Sport’s Malik Ouzia at Stamford Bridge
Noni Madueke took that like a man expecting the flag to go up. Chelsea look dangerous though.
Chelsea 1-0 Liverpool
Sunday 4 May 2025 17:15 , George Flood43 mins: GOOOA... NO!
Madueke rounds Alisson and walks it in after being picked out by Jackson.
However, the latter was standing offside as he received that pass from Lavia.
It obviously won’t stand. Poor awareness from Jackson.
Chelsea 1-0 Liverpool
Sunday 4 May 2025 17:13 , George Flood42 mins: Chelsea liven things up again as Palmer releases Neto, who drives at Tsimikas before lashing low into the side netting after trying to beat Alisson at his near post.
The Blues undoubtedly looking their best when Palmer drops deeper to the right, picking the ball up and firing passes forward.
Chelsea 1-0 Liverpool
Sunday 4 May 2025 17:11 , George Flood40 mins: Some robust challenges going in but this game is suddenly suffering from a lack of quality from both sides.
Intensity levels have dropped noticeably all around with half-time fast approaching.
Chelsea 1-0 Liverpool
Sunday 4 May 2025 17:10 , George Flood36 mins: A bit of a lull to this first half now after a couple of searching Chelsea deliveries into the Liverpool box are repelled.
The atmosphere has become rather subdued, with the title party in the away end briefly pausing.
Chelsea 1-0 Liverpool
Sunday 4 May 2025 17:07 , George Flood35 mins: Liverpool are sluggish to try and connect with a dangerous Alexander-Arnold delivery to the back post, with Neto heading behind under little pressure.
Sanchez punches away the resulting corner under pressure from Van Dijk.
At the other end, Fernandez’s pass intended for Jackson is much too strong and the ball flies wide.
Chelsea 1-0 Liverpool
Sunday 4 May 2025 17:06 , George FloodStandard Sport’s Malik Ouzia at Stamford Bridge
Liverpool’s subs are enjoying themselves warming up down in front of the away end as well. Going through the songbook of chants, laughing and joking.
Chelsea 1-0 Liverpool
Sunday 4 May 2025 17:05 , George FloodStandard Sport’s Malik Ouzia at Stamford Bridge
The scoreline has done absolutely nothing to quiet the party in the away end. It’s a more even game now, but Chelsea still look that bit sharper in attack.
Chelsea 1-0 Liverpool
Sunday 4 May 2025 17:03 , George Flood31 mins: More nervy moments for Liverpool as Madueke’s effort is blocked by Van Dijk inside the box before Caicedo’s follow-up cross from the byline then bounces off the crossbar and wide.
Chelsea 1-0 Liverpool
Sunday 4 May 2025 17:02 , George Flood30 mins: The busy Palmer now pops up in the left channel for Chelsea, but he’s tracked all the way by an attentive Quansah as he earns a corner.
Neto’s volley is then blocked after a poor attempt at a clearing header by Tsimikas at the front post.
Chelsea 1-0 Liverpool
Sunday 4 May 2025 16:59 , George Flood28 mins: Cucurella with a strong block to deny Alexander-Arnold as Liverpool continue to take control now.
Chalobah then has to be alert again to clear a delivery into the six-yard box.
Chelsea 1-0 Liverpool
Sunday 4 May 2025 16:57 , George Flood25 mins: After a slow start, much-changed Liverpool are now finding some rhythm as Endo gets to the byline and is thwarted by a committed challenge from Chalobah.
Chalobah is then there again to fire away from Gakpo.
Chelsea 1-0 Liverpool
Sunday 4 May 2025 16:55 , George Flood23 mins: Caicedo needlessly chops down Gakpo to give Liverpool a free-kick in a dangerous area to the left of the box.
Jota and Van Dijk both scramble to try and connect with Tsimikas’ decent delivery towards the back post, but Chelsea boot clear.
Chelsea 1-0 Liverpool
Sunday 4 May 2025 16:54 , George Flood22 mins: Liverpool attack down the right as Jones roll back to Alexander-Arnold, whose fizzed first-time cross bounces off a frustrated Salah and wide.
It had some pace on it for sure, but he’d normally take those sorts of deliveries in stride.
Chelsea 1-0 Liverpool
Sunday 4 May 2025 16:52 , George Flood19 mins: Palmer - whose long goal drought now stands at 18 games - has started brightly for Chelsea here and he drifts out right again and aims a long ball intended for Jackson, but Alisson hops to gather just inside the Liverpool box.
Chelsea are trying to spray it around when they can.
Chelsea 1-0 Liverpool
Sunday 4 May 2025 16:50 , George FloodHere is that pre-match Liverpool guard of honour from Chelsea, which was strongly booed by the home crowd...
Chelsea give Premier League champions Liverpool a guard of honour 🏆 pic.twitter.com/mZx1ewEra5
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 4, 2025
Chelsea 1-0 Liverpool
Sunday 4 May 2025 16:49 , George FloodStandard Sport’s Malik Ouzia at Stamford Bridge
Interesting role reversal there. Usually it’s the Stamford Bridge crowd going nuts when they play backwards but Enzo Maresca just turned and screamed angrily at his bench in Italian as Levi Colwill rolled back to Robert Sanchez.
Chelsea 1-0 Liverpool
Sunday 4 May 2025 16:47 , George Flood14 mins: A fair old tempo to this entertaining contest in the early going, with Fernandez steering a header well over from inside the Liverpool box after a battle with Quansah.
Tsimikas then stands firm in the area against Neto, backed up by Van Dijk.
Neto stays down and VAR are checking for a penalty, but the Greek left-back was just stronger there.
Nothing given.
Chelsea 1-0 Liverpool
Sunday 4 May 2025 16:4512 mins: Salah almost connects with an enticing floated cross to the back post in another warning for Chelsea not to get too comfortable with this early lead.
Another quick ball intended for the Premier League’s top scorer goes safely behind for a goal kick.
Chelsea 1-0 Liverpool
Sunday 4 May 2025 16:41 , George FloodStandard Sport’s Malik Ouzia at Stamford Bridge
Whatever about the personnel Liverpool sent out today, the biggest question was always going to be about their intensity.
So far, Chelsea have been notably stronger in that department.
Chelsea 1-0 Liverpool
Sunday 4 May 2025 16:41 , George Flood9 mins: Chelsea release Jackson in behind the Liverpool defence with a dangerous low ball forward, with the Senegalese striker then taken out by Alisson as the Liverpool goalkeeper comes racing out of his box and badly mistimes the challenge.
Luckily for him, the offside flag is up.
Chelsea 1-0 Liverpool
Sunday 4 May 2025 16:39 , George Flood8 mins: Liverpool are starting to wake up now after that early setback, with Sanchez holding Gakpo’s strike after Jota had fired well over.
Chelsea 1-0 Liverpool
Sunday 4 May 2025 16:37 , George Flood5 mins: A chance for a quick-fire Chelsea second as Madueke gets into the box, but he declines to play in Palmer and instead loses his footing as he miscues a bobbling low shot well wide.
The Blues are well up for this.
Chelsea 1-0 Liverpool
Sunday 4 May 2025 16:36Standard Sport’s Malik Ouzia at Stamford Bridge
That’s the loudest cheer I’ve heard for a goal here in a good few months.
Excellent play from Neto down the flank and it’s really well taken, too.
GOAL! Chelsea 1-0 Liverpool | Enzo Fernandez 3'
Sunday 4 May 2025 16:333 mins: A dream start for Chelsea!
It’s a brilliantly-worked move involving Palmer and Neto ends up playing the ball across for Fernandez to confidently fire past a helpless Alisson.
Stamford Bridge erupts.
Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool
Sunday 4 May 2025 16:32 , George Flood1 mins: Immediate threat from Liverpool as Elliott and Salah combine neatly with a cute little one-two inside the Chelsea box, with the latter’s low cross cut out well by Sanchez.
A jubilant atmosphere in that away end, with banners and “20” balloons galore.
Chelsea vs Liverpool
Sunday 4 May 2025 16:31 , George FloodKICK-OFF
Underway in west London!
Can Chelsea get another crucial result in the battle for Champions League qualification against the title winners?
Chelsea vs Liverpool
Sunday 4 May 2025 16:28 , George FloodStandard Sport’s Malik Ouzia at Stamford Bridge
Boos all around Stamford Bridge as Chelsea’s players deliver the expected guard of honour.
Noni Madueke wins the award for the least heartfelt applause I’ve ever seen - we’re talking millimetres between palms.
Proper Professor Snape stuff.
Chelsea fans boo as Liverpool given guard of honour
Sunday 4 May 2025 16:27 , George FloodHere come the teams at Stamford Bridge!
Heavy boos from the Chelsea fans as Liverpool’s players walk through their respectful pre-match guard of honour.
Long-established tradition it might be, but it doesn’t mean the crowd have to like it!
Arne Slot also confirmed to Sky Sports that Federico Chiesa will play in all four matches between now and the end of the season, even though he doesn’t start today.
He needs to play once more to guarantee a Premier League medal.
Arne Slot explains six Liverpool changes to face Chelsea
Sunday 4 May 2025 16:12 , George FloodArne Slot addressing those six Liverpool changes in his pre-match interview with Sky Sports...
“A bit of everything, they definitely deserve to get playing time,” he said. “They have done really well throughout the whole season.
“Every time we needed them to come in, they did, almost every time, really well.
“A lot of them are going to go to their national teams, some of them will even go to Under-21 tournaments.
“It is good for all of them to have playing time. A few of them have played a lot, that’s why they are rested or rotated now.
“Almost all of these six players played in PSV Eindhoven where we lost, Plymouth where we lost, but then they played with five different players.
“Now they play with the likes of Virgil and Mo and the ones that have started many times.
“This is a better moment to see where they are and what they can bring in a game against a strong Chelsea team.”
Champions serenaded by travelling Liverpool fans
Sunday 4 May 2025 16:00 , George FloodStandard Sport’s Malik Ouzia at Stamford Bridge
Liverpool’s players trot out to warm up and though the away end is probably only about five per cent full, there’s a big chorus of “Champions! Champions!”.
Won’t be the last of the afternoon.
As it stands in battle for Champions League qualification
Sunday 4 May 2025 15:59A very lively game at the Amex Stadium has finished all square at 1-1 between Brighton and Newcastle, with Alexander Isak levelling from the penalty spot in the 89th minute for the visitors after Yankuba Minteh had earlier netted against his former club.
That result means that Chelsea are now three points behind the fourth-place Magpies in fifth, with a goal difference that is only two worse off (+19 compared to +21).
However, Newcastle have scored seven more than Chelsea this season as things stand.
The Blues are level on points with both Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa below in a tight, tight battle, with the former travelling to Crystal Palace on Monday night and the latter having beat Fulham 1-0 yesterday.
Chelsea have built back some momentum of late but they could really use another positive result today.
They still have to play both Newcastle and Forest away before the end of the season, as well as hosting Manchester United.
Chelsea hope to gain inspiration from Liverpool guard of honour
Sunday 4 May 2025 15:51 , George FloodStandard Sport’s Chelsea correspondent Malik Ouzia is in position at Stamford Bridge to preview another huge game for the Blues in their battle for Champions League qualification next season...
🗣️ "Chelsea are hoping that the guard of honour could provide motivation."@MalikOuzia_ previews another huge game for the Blues in their fight for Champions League qualification
— Standard Sport (@standardsport) May 4, 2025
LIVE: https://t.co/qcBoj3P289#CHELIV pic.twitter.com/ahbRQ35fx0
Six Liverpool changes as Slot rotates after title win
Sunday 4 May 2025 15:35 , George FloodArne Slot has been true to his word in terms of Liverpool’s squad rotation with the title in the bag.
Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate make way for Kostas Tsimikas and Jarell Quansah in defence, with Wataru Endo and Harvey Elliott handed their first Premier League starts of the season in midfield.
Curtis Jones also comes in as Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai drop to the bench, while Diogo Jota is preferred to Luis Diaz in attack.
Federico Chiesa is still a substitute along with Darwin Nunez. Conor Bradley also on the bench after injury.
Sanchez returns as Maresca names same Chelsea team that beat Everton
Sunday 4 May 2025 15:32 , George FloodSo Enzo Maresca reverts back to the same Chelsea team that beat Everton 1-0 at Stamford Bridge in their previous Premier League outing last weekend, with Nicolas Jackson netting his first goal since December before adding a brace as a substitute against Djurgarden.
Robert Sanchez is fit to start in goal after a knock that ruled him out of the trip to Sweden and Malo Gusto is on the bench again.
Filip Jorgensen, Josh Acheampong, Tosin Adarabioyo, Benoit Badiashile, Reece James, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Jadon Sancho and Tyrique George are replaced by Sanchez, Moises Caicedo, Levi Colwill, Trevoh Chalobah, Romeo Lavia, Cole Palmer, Pedro Neto and Jackson after Thursday.
Liverpool lineup
Sunday 4 May 2025 15:19 , George FloodLiverpool XI: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Quansah, Van Dijk, Tsimikas, Endo, Jones, Salah, Elliott, Gakpo, Jota
Subs: Kelleher, Konate, Diaz, Szoboszlai, Nunez, Mac Allister, Chiesa, Robertson, Bradley
Chelsea lineup
Sunday 4 May 2025 15:17Chelsea XI: Sanchez, Caicedo, Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella, Lavia, Fernandez, Neto, Palmer, Madueke, Jackson
Subs: Jorgensen, Gusto, James, Acheampong, Badiashile, Tosin, Dewsbury-Hall, Sancho, George
Maresca looks to Van Dijk impact as Chelsea aim to bridge Liverpool gap
Sunday 4 May 2025 15:09It is easy to forget now that Chelsea were very much keeping pace with Liverpool at the Premier League summit during a superb start to the Enzo Maresca era, only for a difficult 2025 to see them drop down into a battle just to make the top five and next season’s Champions League.
Indeed, but for a goalless draw away at Everton in December, they could have overtaken Arne Slot’s men.
Today’s guard of honour will no doubt sting, with Maresca putting Liverpool’s far greater staying power down to consistency and experience.
“The difference is they have been consistent compared to us,” said the Italian.
“For part of the season we were very good, and then we lost some games. This has probably been the main reason why.
“And also in terms of experienced players that know how to win games and these kinds of things, I think they have something more compared to us.”
Chelsea could match worst-ever winless run against Liverpool
Sunday 4 May 2025 14:57 , George FloodThe calm before the storm at Stamford Bridge, where Chelsea have not beaten Liverpool since March 2020.
In fact, the Blues have not won any of their last 10 matches across all competitions against today’s opponents - a run that dates back to 2021.
Another winless effort today would see them match their longest-ever streak without a victory against Liverpool.
They went 11 straight games against them without winning between 1985 and 1990.
There have been plenty of draws between these two teams in recent years and goals can often be in short supply.
Let’s hope that’s not the case today.
Liverpool ran out 2-1 winners at Anfield back in October in an incident-packed game that saw Curtis Jones notch a second-half winner after Nicolas Jackson had cancelled out Mohamed Salah’s penalty and the hosts had another spot-kick award overturned by VAR.
Why Liverpool guard of honour could help inspire Chelsea bid to become contenders
Sunday 4 May 2025 14:45Experience is the topic of the moment at Stamford Bridge, writes Malik Ouzia.
Chelsea, by their own design, don’t have a great deal of it and while Enzo Maresca has hinted he might like to bring some in this summer, he has also been adamant that the young players already at the club will be better for their tumultuous journey through this campaign.
There was last summer’s ‘bomb squad’ and all the uncertainty it brought around the makeup of the playing staff. There was early talk of turbulence in the boardroom that had to be shut out, then even noisier chatter about a premature title challenge that Maresca did his best to quell.
Into the New Year, there was a mid-season slump, another disruptive transfer window cull, an attacking injury crisis and, in recent weeks, something of a rallying response.
It is thanks to that melting pot of fortunes that this season could still yet end in either glory or failure, with European silverware, a return to the Champions League, both or none.
Enzo Maresca confirms Chelsea will give Liverpool guard of honour
Sunday 4 May 2025 14:33 , George FloodAs mentioned, Liverpool will receive the first of four likely pre-match guards of honour between now and the end of the season at Stamford Bridge today after they clinched the Premier League title last week.
While Chelsea are under no obligation to do it and it’s a purely voluntary act, it has long since become tradition in the top-flight when a club wraps up the championship with games to spare.
Every one of Liverpool’s last seven opponents - including Chelsea - did it for Jurgen Klopp’s runaway champions during the Covid-hit 2019/20 campaign, their only other title of the Premier League era so far.
Asked after the win over Djurgarden in Sweden if Chelsea would follow tradition with a guard of honour, manager Enzo Maresca said: “I think it's a tradition, it's something you have to do, and we're going to do.
"First of all, they won the league, so they deserve that, and hopefully we can be there [as champions] very soon."
Chelsea vs Liverpool prediction
Sunday 4 May 2025 14:21 , George FloodAs Chelsea chase Champions League qualification, they will hope against hope that Liverpool are already on the beach, having secured the title with weeks to spare - though they will require a first home win over the Reds since March 2020.
And Slot’s men really have little to play for. There are no points records to chase and no notable accolades to be claimed besides Mohamed Salah extending his lead in the Golden Boot race.
Should Slot opt to hand runs out to his fringe and academy players, Chelsea could be in with a chance to spoil the party.
Chelsea to win, 2-0.
Early Liverpool team news: Slot to rotate after title win
Sunday 4 May 2025 14:17Conor Bradley looks set to be back involved for Liverpool today after missing the title-clinching 5-1 comeback rout of Tottenham at Anfield last weekend with a minor knock.
That leaves fellow defender Joe Gomez as the Reds’ only known injury absentee as he continues to recover from hamstring surgery.
With the title wrapped up with four games to spare, Arne Slot has confirmed he will employ some squad rotation in the final weeks of the season.
While we shouldn’t expect wholesale changes, fans are hoping to see the likes of Harvey Elliott and Federico Cheisa given chances to prove they deserve to stay at the club beyond the summer.
Curtis Jones, Diogo Jota, Kostas Tsimikas, Jarell Quansah, Wataru Endo and Darwin Nunez are among the other players hoping for more starting opportunities.
Early Chelsea team news: Sanchez should return
Sunday 4 May 2025 14:12 , George FloodChelsea are expected to have first-choice goalkeeper Robert Sanchez back fit this afternoon after he missed Thursday’s 4-1 win away at Djurgarden in the first leg of their Conference League semi-final tie with a knock.
However, fellow midweek absentee Christopher Nkunku is not likely to return until the second leg on home soil later in the week.
Malo Gusto has returned to the squad after injury, with Romeo Lavia fresh as he is ineligible to play in the Conference League.
Blues boss Enzo Maresca made eight changes to his starting XI in Stockholm and should go with his strongest lineup here with that tie well in hand, including likely starts out wide for Noni Madueke and Pedro Neto.
Wesley Fofana, Marc Guiu and Omari Kellyman are all out injured, while Mykhailo Mudryk remains unavailable for selection.
How to watch Chelsea vs Liverpool
Sunday 4 May 2025 14:07TV channel: In the UK, today’s game will be televised live on Sky Sports.
Coverage begins on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event at 4pm BST - after Brighton vs Newcastle on Super Sunday.
Live stream: Sky Sports subscribers can also catch the contest live online via the Sky Go app.
Chelsea vs Liverpool live
Sunday 4 May 2025 14:02 , George FloodGood afternoon and welcome to Standard Sport’s live coverage of Chelsea vs Liverpool.
The Reds begin their second reign as Premier League champions at Stamford Bridge today, where they will receive a pre-match guard of honour as per top-flight tradition.
For Chelsea, it’s another huge clash in the battle for a top-five finish and Champions League qualification next term.
Kick-off this afternoon is at 4:30pm BST, so stay tuned for live updates, team news and expert analysis from Chelsea correspondent Malik Ouzia in west London.
