B-EST OF THE REST!

Blues snatch victory at the death as title race is blown wide open with Reds dropping to second

- MARK JONES

LIVERPOOL'S expensively assembled new squad were burned by the £115million man who got away and Chelsea's new wonderkid to slip to a third defeat in a row.

Moises Caicedo, who joined the Blues over the Reds in the summer of 2023, gave his side the lead with a superb long-range strike that debutant goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili had no chance with.

But after Arne Slot changed things around, including bringing on Florian Wirtz at halftime, Cody Gakpo's strike looked to have got his side a point.

Yet Willian Estevao's stoppage-time winner sent Stamford Bridge crazy and deepens the sense of gloom around the champions.

The 18-year-old was on hand to turn home Marc Cucurella's cross in the sixth minute of added time.

Enzo Maresca sprang a tactical surprise of his own from the off by starting Malo Gusto in the centre of midfield and Reece James at right-back, a switch which allowed the Frenchman to use his pace in the centre where Liverpool have looked leggy lately.