Chelsea faced a tough test in their second major challenge of the season, falling 2-1 to league leaders Liverpool at Anfield. Despite a spirited effort, the Blues could not overcome their opponents, marking their second defeat of the campaign.
Nicolas Jackson offered a glimmer of hope when he scored his first goal against Liverpool to equalize at 1-1. However, the Reds quickly regained the lead, leaving Chelsea unable to salvage the match.
Head coach Enzo Maresca, though disappointed with the result, expressed pride in his team’s performance, especially given the absence of several key players. Wesley Fofana and Marc Cucurella missed the match due to suspensions, while Reece James and Romeo Lavia made their returns from long-term injuries but were restricted to limited minutes.
Maresca made a bold tactical decision early in the second half, introducing three substitutes following Pedro Neto’s entry at halftime in place of Jadon Sancho. Neto, who joined Chelsea on loan from Manchester United, made a significant impact with his direct and energetic play on both wings.
However, his first-half performance was a mixed bag, with some observers believing he deserved a penalty, though it didn’t match the high standards of his earlier displays at Stamford Bridge.
Former Chelsea manager Frank Lampard was full of praise for Neto’s performance in the second half and has called for the Portuguese winger to be included in the starting lineup for the team’s next game. Speaking to the Premier League’s official website, Lampard said, “Pedro Neto came on and made a significant impact.
He’s likely earned himself a strong chance of starting the next game. I believe he should.” Lampard’s comments reflect growing confidence in Neto’s abilities to influence games from the outset.
After his big-money summer move, Neto is expected to feature prominently in Thursday’s UEFA Conference League fixture, provided he remains fit. Football pundit Tony Cascarino has hailed Neto as “fabulous,” underscoring the high expectations surrounding the player. While contributing in Europe is important, Neto’s primary goal remains establishing himself as a regular starter in the Premier League.
As Chelsea prepares to host Newcastle on Sunday, Neto is firmly in contention for a place in the starting eleven. His second-half performance against Liverpool has highlighted his potential to make a difference, and many fans will be eager to see if he can cement his place in Maresca’s plans movingforward.
