Liverpool’s season is over from a competitive standpoint, thanks to the minor matter of having already wrapped up the title, but it may have inadvertently had a significant impact on the race for the Champions League places. It was a weakened team that lost to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, providing Enzo Maresca with a precious three points — but in spite of the unusual circumstances, one player left Wayne Rooney very impressed.
In fairness, Arne Slot still named a side very capable of winning. He has pledged to rotate without making wholesale changes for the remainder of the season; the likes of Wataru Endo, Harvey Elliott and Jarell Quansah came into the squad, but many of the more familiar faces were present too.
Team captain Virgil van Dijk still led the side out. And it would take a brave man to rotate Mohamed Salah as he chases down records, albeit ones that are now beginning to seem a little elusive.
As such, it was more or less a full-strength challenge for Chelsea’s left flank. As well as having Salah to deal with, Trent Alexander-Arnold played — in what turned out to be the final game before he confirmed his departure from the club.
And Rooney thinks Marc Cucurella contained Liverpool’s stars admirably. Speaking on Match of the Day 2, he praised how he dealt with Salah in particular:
“‘I was really impressed with Marc Cucurella,” said Rooney. “I really liked how aggressive he was against Mohamed Salah. He was right in Salah’s face all afternoon, he didn’t give him any time on the ball.
“Salah can obviously hurt players if he faces you up but Cucurella didn’t let that happen. He kept winning the ball and driving forward, he didn’t really give Salah any joy.
“I think he won the ball back nine times which was more than any other player on the pitch. He was just really aggressive and I think you need to be against Salah because he will cause you massive problems if you give him time.
“Mo Salah can make you look silly but Cucurella didn’t fear him at all. I was really impressed with him.”
(Image: Robin Jones/Getty Images)
It has been a more subdued version of Salah in the past few weeks. The assist record that once looked like a matter of time is starting to get away from him.
Having said that, some better finishing from Darwin Nunez would have moved Salah within one of tying the record. The Uruguayan somehow managed to head the ball almost parallel to the goal from close range, underlining why his Liverpool career is probably all but over.
That chance showed Cucurella clearly didn’t have Salah entirely under wraps. But he did well overall, continuing what has been an impressive turnaround in a Chelsea jersey.
For a time, he was held up as an example of Chelsea’s terrible business. His transfer fee appeared grossly overinflated, and his performances left a lot to be desired.
But now, looking at the list of Chelsea’s signings under Todd Boehly, Cucurella looks like one of the best. That arguably says more about how some of the other moves have gone, but it is a credit to the Spaniard nonetheless.
Even so, a fully-motivated Liverpool and Salah may well have caused him a few more problems. As it is, Chelsea gratefully accepted a win that keeps it in fifth place, ahead of a huge game with fourth-placed Newcastle next time out.
