Marc Cucurella during the match against Liverpool at Anfield / Europa Press
Liverpool and Chelsea drew 1-1 at Anfield.
The result does little for either side, who are chasing very different goals. The Reds are trying to secure their place in next season’s Champions League, while the Blues need to put pressure on their rivals to have any hope of competing in European competition next year. The reality for the London club has shifted dramatically in just a few months. Now, the mess is enormous.
Enzo Maresca left the club when the team was fifth in the league and inside the top eight in the Champions League. His final match in charge was the 2-2 draw against Bournemouth on December 30, 2025, in Matchday 19. Since then, Chelsea has been in a constant freefall, with only one emergency button left to avoid a devastating crash.
Chelsea lost a manager capable of handling the pressure at Stamford Bridge (Liam Rosenior was a disaster), began dropping league positions, and after the draw at Anfield, it is now impossible for them to secure a spot in next season’s Champions League.
Liam Rosenior, Chelsea manager / EFE
Liverpool took an early lead in the sixth minute thanks to a goal from Ryan Gravenberch. Slot’s side could have doubled the lead through a strong Ngumoha, but Chelsea equalized when Enzo curled a free kick into the area that no one touched until it hit the net. The score didn’t change, making the Europa League very difficult for the Blues as well. At least the 1-1 draw ended a run of six consecutive defeats.
Ninth with 49 points, only six points remain to play for. Currently, Bournemouth holds sixth place with 55 points, meaning if they win next week or Chelsea doesn’t, the Blues cannot take that spot.
Liverpool and Chelsea drew 1-1 at Anfield / EFE
The Conference League is a bit more realistic, though still complicated. Brighton currently holds that spot with 53 points. Ahead of them is Brentford, who are playing Manchester City at the Etihad right now. Therefore, Chelsea’s most viable option to mask their disaster and prevent a mass exodus of stars at the end of the season is the FA Cup.
England’s domestic cup competition is the only lifeline for a club that, aside from its sporting drama, is also under institutional punishment. Before Rosenior’s departure, the club was fined millions (around €11.5 million) for infractions committed between 2011 and 2018 under Roman Abramovich’s leadership. The club made payments to agents, players, and other entities through companies linked to the team’s ownership, in addition to receiving a one-year transfer ban.
**The FA Cup: The Last Lifeline**
The outlook is bleak, which is why beating Manchester City at Wembley on Saturday, May 16 (4:00 PM) is crucial. Winning would not only give Chelsea a trophy but also secure a direct Europa League berth. That could help convince key players like Cole Palmer and Enzo Fernández that it’s worth enduring the storm for another season and continuing to build the project.
Who takes the helm will also be key. In recent hours, names like Andoni Iraola and Xavi Hernández have surfaced. Being in the Europa League could push them a bit closer to the Bridge. Either way, the situation is dire.
**Topics**
Chelsea
