Chelsea Defeats Liverpool 3-1, Rises to Fifth Place

Chelsea secured a crucial 3-1 victory over Liverpool at Stamford Bridge, boosting their hopes for Champions League qualification. Manager Enzo Maresca emphasized the importance of the win and praised his team's adaptability, noting they had to change their original high-press tactics due to Liverpool's possession and were forced to defend deep at times. Despite Liverpool fielding a rotated squad and having just clinched the Premier League title, Maresca highlighted that his players dealt well with the challenge and deserved the win, with standout performances from Enzo Fernandez and Cole Palmer. Maresca also pointed to the positive impact of Romeo Lavia's return from injury, expressing optimism about Chelsea's future. He stressed the need to remain focused for the remaining games, as Champions League qualification is not yet secured. The victory leaves Chelsea in a strong position in the tight race for a top-five finish, with only a few matches left in the season.