Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has shed light on his brief conversation with referee Anthony Taylor following the Reds’ dramatic 2-1 defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. The Dutch defender expressed confusion over the timing of the final whistle, suggesting the match might have ended earlier than it should have — especially considering the lengthy celebration following Chelsea’s winning goal.
Van Dijk Questions Added Time After Estevão’s Late Goal
Chelsea snatched victory through an injury-time strike from Estevão, the 18-year-old Brazilian sensation, who scored in the 95th minute. His goal came when the match seemed destined to end in a draw, but van Dijk noticed something unusual — the celebration lasted quite long, yet the referee did not extend the stoppage time accordingly.
“I saw their celebration, and that’s understandable — it was an important goal,” Van Dijk told reporters after the match. “But I think it went on for over two minutes. When the final whistle blew in the 98th minute, I asked myself, how is that possible? I asked the referee politely, not in anger, just to understand.”
Van Dijk’s comments subtly hinted at frustration, though the captain made it clear that his intention wasn’t to question Taylor’s authority but rather to seek clarity.
Estevão’s Moment of Brilliance and Liverpool’s Third Straight Defeat
The match itself was a thrilling, end-to-end battle between two top Premier League sides. Moises Caicedo opened the scoring for Chelsea with a spectacular long-range effort, but Cody Gakpo restored parity for Liverpool soon after, finishing off a clever attacking move.
Just when it looked like both teams would share the spoils, Estevão — Chelsea’s young prodigy — delivered a late twist. Meeting Marc Cucurella’s pinpoint cross, he calmly slotted home past Giorgi Mamardashvili, sparking wild celebrations at Stamford Bridge.
The goal sent Chelsea fans into raptures and even saw manager Enzo Maresca briefly leave his technical area in emotional celebration. For the Blues, it was a much-needed victory after back-to-back losses in the Premier League. For Liverpool, however, it marked a worrying pattern — their third consecutive defeat across all competitions, following losses to Crystal Palace and Galatasaray.
Pressure Mounts on Arne Slot as Liverpool Struggles Continue
For Liverpool manager Arne Slot, the upcoming international break could not come at a better time. The Dutch tactician faces growing pressure to stabilize his side, as recent results have seen Arsenal overtake Liverpool at the top of the Premier League table.
Slot’s immediate priorities include tightening a shaky defense, improving consistency in midfield, and integrating star playmaker Florian Wirtz more effectively into the attacking setup. Van Dijk, as captain, emphasized that the team must stay united and focused on improvement rather than dwelling on refereeing decisions.
“We can’t control what the referee decides, but we can control how we respond,” Van Dijk added. “The focus now should be on fixing our mistakes and bouncing back stronger.”
A Defining Test Awaits: Liverpool vs. Manchester United
After the international break, Liverpool will return to action with one of the season’s most anticipated fixtures — a home clash against arch-rivals Manchester United on October 19. The match could serve as a turning point for Arne Slot’s tenure at Anfield, offering a chance to reignite momentum and restore belief among supporters.
For now, though, the Reds are left to reflect on another frustrating night in London — a match that exposed defensive frailties, tactical imbalances, and a touch of controversy surrounding the final whistle.
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