Chelsea Player Ratings: 'Unexpected' 10/10 and 'pitbull' 9 as Liverpool beaten late

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca would likely have snapped your hand off for a point against Premier League champions Liverpool but the hosts took a deserved three in a euphoric evening under the lights at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues took an early lead through a brilliant Moises Caicedo strike but saw the visitors level in the second half through Cody Gakpo after Maresca was forced to move to a makeshift back four.

Chelsea looked as if they would have to settle for a point but late pressure paid off with wonderkid Estevao in the right place at the right time to prod home a ball across the box from Marc Cucurella. Here’s how the Chelsea players rated.

Chelsea player ratings

GK - Robert Sanchez, 7

One of his better evenings in a Chelsea shirt. There was a hair-raising missed punch from a corner early on but settled with some good distribution today.

LB - Marc Cucurella, 8

Is starting to build a promising relationship with Garnacho and his usual enigmatic self on the flank. Does risk being caught out of position with the game he plays. Persevered right until the end to get the late assist.

CB - Josh Acheampong, 7

Applauded by Stamford Bridge for his calmness when dealing with a loose ball under pressure from Alexander Isak in the first half. A real talent but looks his young age at times - at his best with the guidance of a more experienced partner at the heart of defence.

CB - Benoit Badiashile, 10

A, perhaps, unexpected star of the show in his 55 minutes on the pitch. That was a flawless defensive performance, marshalling the side from the back despite having played so little football this season. Really up for it and clinical in his defensive actions. Chelsea lost organisation and conceded minutes after he went off.

RB - Reece James, 8

Put in an important shift. Was more convincing at full-back than at centre-back but worked hard to hold that makeshift back four together after Badiashile went off.

CM - Malo Gusto, 7

A somewhat kamikaze and unconventional performance in midfield. Didn’t quite look a natural in the centre of the park but did cause Liverpool problems before being moved back to full-back in the second half.

Moises Caicedo opens scoring with stunning Chelsea strike

CM - Moises Caicedo, 9

Was given far too much space by Liverpool early on and punished them by leathering his shot home. Caicedo won’t score many sweeter than that. His usual pitbull self after netting with an engine that saw him heavily involved even late on in the game - nearly scoring a second from distance.

CM - Enzo Fernandez, 8

Fernandez has been so influential this season but struggled to dictate play in quite the same way against Liverpool. Nonetheless, was looking to make things happen and his dedication to the cause paid off with involvement in the late goal.

LW - Alejandro Garnacho, 9

A constant threat. That performance shows why Garnacho was worth the punt for Chelsea. The Liverpool defence, especially Conor Bradley, never looked comfortable with him.

ST - Joao Pedro, 5

A frustrating outing for the striker. Chelsea were good at flashing balls across the box but Pedro had always gone too early or too late. Was well into the battle with Ibrahima Konate but there were goals out there for him this evening.

RW - Pedro Neto, 7

A busy performance with a lot to like but perhaps could have found a little more threat. Such a commendable work rate.

SUBS - Romeo Lavia (8), Jorrel Hato (6), Jamie Gittens (8), Marc Guiu (5), Estevao (10).

In other news, Arne Slot says Chelsea have mastered the Premier League's 'new reality'.