(photo: Premier League, www.premierleague.com)
So the English Premier League Champ Liverpool just lost 3-1 to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Not the result you expect right after winning the league, but hey I bet the parties were endless after the last win!
Chelsea came out strong with an early goal from Enzo Fernández, then got lucky with a weird own goal that bounced off Quansah. Van Dijk tried to pull one back near the end, but by the time Cole Palmer who has scored since his amazing stunts in and before January, stepped up for a stoppage-time penalty, it was done and dusted.
On paper, Liverpool didn’t look too bothered. The lineup had a few changes, some fringe players and clearly not much urgency. And while they kept 65% possession, nothing really clicked up top.
But of course, Liverpool fans being Liverpool fans, the jokes started flying online. Some say the Reds wanted to lose — you know, as a little “revenge” gift to Nottingham Forest, who are sitting just below Chelsea in the table. Let Chelsea have the points, bump Forest a bit closer to the drop, might as well off the Europa wagon, petty, but kind of funny if true.
Others are spinning full transfer market fan-fiction. The theory? Let Chelsea climb up and put pressure on Newcastle. If Newcastle miss out on Champions League next season, maybe their star striker Alexander Isak decides it’s time to move on — and who better to swoop in than Liverpool? (Sorry Nunez, it’s time boy.)
(photo: Premier League, www.premierleague.com)
A bit of a stretch? For sure. But it’s classic supporter talk — always thinking two steps ahead, especially when the transfer window is coming up.
Jokes aside, the real highlight of the night wasn’t even the football. It was the guard of honour. Chelsea lined up before kickoff and clapped Liverpool onto the pitch, that is the tradition for the team that got crowned before the end of the season, no matter where, even in their house! Honestly, it was the best moment of the match. Respect where it’s due. You win the league, you get your flowers, even from your rivals.
I am sure the Liverpool fans are gonna cook more stories up while the Title is already in the bag, I will surely be looking forward to another guard of honours, which is happening at the Emirates. Ah, Liverpool might just win that one for Pep when City is trying to catch up.