Chelsea handed Liverpool just their third league defeat of the season on Sunday as they won 3-1 against the Reds at Stamford Bridge.
Liverpool had taken their foot off the gas somewhat after becoming Premier League champions, but that shouldn’t take away from Chelsea’s performance here.
Cole Palmer was fantastic against Liverpool, and he earned plenty of praise for his showing.
Indeed, the Blues were brilliant on Sunday, and speaking to BBC 606, Arne Slot has reserved some special praise for a couple of Chelsea’s players.
Slot hailed Palmer as ‘special’, while he also noted that Noni Madueke did something he’s not seen at all this season.
Arne Slot hails Noni Madueke
Slot spoke about Madueke and his ability to dribble on Sunday.
The Dutchman noted that Madueke dribbled past four or five players at once on Sunday, something that he’s not seen a single player do against Liverpool this season.
“I think it was Madueke who could just go and start to dribble between four or five of ours and I haven’t seen that before this season. So that might be a small drop off, but the way we played through them, the way we tried to keep on going, even after 2-0 down, it felt to me there was a bigger chance that the 2-2 was there than the 3-1, although they were a constant threat with all the quality players they have in the counter attack,” Slot said.
“And if I have to pick one out, then Cole Palmer was again special.”
Noni Madueke stats vs Liverpool
Madueke didn’t score or assist against Liverpool at the weekend, but he was fantastic against the Reds.
Indeed, while Madeuke didn’t manage to score or assist, he was a constant thorn in the Reds’ side, and the stats show just how brilliant he was.
| Noni Madueke stats vs Liverpool | |
| Dribbles | 4 |
| Shots | 4 |
| Shots on target | 1 |
| Key passes | 2 |
Madueke has been linked with a move away from Chelsea in this upcoming summer transfer window, but Enzo Maresca won’t be keen to lose the winger if he keeps playing like this.
Madueke has really stepped up in recent times, and he could have a big part to play if Chelsea are to finish in the Champions League this season.
| Position | Team | Played MP |
Won W |
Drawn D |
Lost L |
For GF |
Against GA |
Diff GD |
Points Pts |
| 3 |  |
35 | 19 | 7 | 9 | 67 | 43 | 24 | 64 |
| 4 |  |
35 | 19 | 6 | 10 | 66 | 45 | 21 | 63 |
| 5 |  |
35 | 18 | 9 | 8 | 62 | 41 | 21 | 63 |
| 6 |  |
35 | 18 | 7 | 10 | 54 | 42 | 12 | 61 |
Chelsea still have work to do to secure their spot in the top five, but that win against Liverpool on Sunday was vital.
