The Blues, who were without eight players due to injury and suspension, opened the scoring in the first half through an outstanding Caicedo strike. The midfielder was given time and space in the 14th minute to measure a shot and promptly rifled it home from 20 yards.

Liverpool responded in the second period and levelled through Cody Gakpo, but despite having to change both our centre-backs, it was Enzo Maresca's side who pushed hardest for the winner.

It arrived in the sixth minute of additional time as Marc Cucurella slid the ball across the Liverpool six-yard box and there was Estevao at the back post to guide the ball home and spark wild scenes of jubilation across Stamford Bridge. It was a moment that will live long in the memory.

Starting strongly

Maresca made three changes to his starting XI, with Josh Acheampong, Reece James and Joao Pedro coming into the Chelsea side for the suspended Trevoh Chalobah, Facundo Buonanotte and Tyrique George.

There was a big-game atmosphere inside Stamford Bridge come kick-off, which helped the Blues settle into the contest. We probed the Liverpool backline during the opening ten minutes and halted any forays into our final third by Slot's side.

It appeared the pattern of the half had been established. But then the opening goal arrived – and in emphatic fashion. After Benoit Badiashile slipped a pass into midfield, Malo Gusto laid the ball off to Caicedo 30 yards from goal.

The Ecuadorian took a touch out of his feet, then two more, and was given the space to unleash a drive into the top right-hand corner of Giorgi Mamardashvili's goal. It was an unstoppable strike.

The contest then settled back into its previous rhythm, albeit with Liverpool now having more possession. The Reds would advance into the Chelsea half, only to be halted by disciplined Blues defending. The one time an attack ended in a shot at goal, Badiashile was on hand to block a goal-bound shot from Dominik Szoboszlai.

Our attacks were largely measured, with the ball worked patiently into Liverpool's defensive third. Yet they were often repelled at that point.

Searching for more

We did come close to a second shortly before the interval, though, as a short corner was worked to Alejandro Garnacho on the edge of the penalty area. The Argentine's shot was curling inward, but not enough to take it inside the post.

From our next attack, the Argentine went down in the penalty area under pressure from Szoboszlai. VAR did check the incident but deemed the contact inefficient for referee Anthony Taylor to review at the pitchside monitor.

The final chance of the half was fashioned by Liverpool as a cross to the back post was met by Alexander Isak. Yet his header comfortably cleared Robert Sanchez's crossbar and we went into the interval with a deserved advantage.

A scare

Liverpool made a change at the break, as Florian Wirtz replaced Bradley. The German made an immediate impact as he produced a spinning back-heeled pass to tee up a chance for Mo Salah. However, under pressure from Marc Cucurella, the Egyptian fired wide.

Sanchez was properly worked for the first time soon after; Ryan Gravenberch fired a shot from distance at the Chelsea goal that needed saving by the Spanish. Salah then fired over from distance after a counter-attack by the visitors.

Our first change of the afternoon was an enforced one as, after Salah's opportunity, Badiashile required treatment and was unable to continue. He was replaced by Romeo Lavia, with James dropping into centre-back.

We fashioned two opportunities immediately after the alteration. Garnacho first rolled an inviting pass across the box that Joao Pedro couldn't quite reach before Pedro Neto saw a header at the back post deflected wide by Andrew Robertson.

We were playing well, but, unfortunately, Liverpool levelled just after the hour mark as a cross into our box was brought down by Isak and fell perfectly for Gakpo to power a shot beyond Sanchez.

Another alteration

The equaliser was compounded by another change in defence soon after, with Acheampong forced off with an injury. Jorrel Hato was introduced in place of our Academy graduate.

With changes having been made to both back fours, there was a sense that another goal was coming. It just wasn't clear at what end.

Maresca used his final substitution slot to make a triple change and freshen up his frontline, with Jamie Gittens, Estevao Willian and Marc Guiu replacing Garnacho, Pedro Neto and Joao Pedro. Fifteen minutes remained.

From our next attack, Enzo Fernandez flashed the pass across goal that needed to be turned behind. But it was another indication of our intent.

Pushing for a winner

In the final ten minutes, we forced Mamardashvili into two excellent saves. The first came after James played an outstanding, flat 50-yard pass to Gittens, who advanced and forced the Liverpool stopper to push a shot wide.

Estevao collected the rebound from the touchline, brought the ball into the box, and guided a shot toward the far corner. Mamardashvili dived full length and was able to palm the ball behind.

Caicedo was next to come close with another rasping drive from distance that Mamardashvili nudged over the crossbar. Fernandez then forced the Liverpool goalkeeper into a save with a header from the resulting corner.

At the other end, Szoboszlai rolled a shot wide after a Liverpool counter-attack. Seven minutes were added. Would there be a winner?

The next opportunity fashioned in stoppage time was by the Blues – and we were inches away from claiming victory. An excellent cross to the back post from Estevao found Fernandez, who arched his back to guide a header toward goal.

Mamardashvili was beaten – he had no time to react given Fernandez's proximity to goal – but the ball struck the post and bounced wide. Time remained, though.

And, in the sixth of the seven added minutes, we scored the winner. It was well constructed as Fernandez slipped a pass behind the Liverpool defence for Cucurella, who whipped the ball across the six-yard box. And there at the back post was Estevao.

The Brazilian had to stretch, but was able to get a clean connection on the ball and guide it beyond Mamardashvili.

Stamford Bridge erupted. Players raced to the Brazilian in celebration. Maresca sprinted down to the touchline to join them.

Victory belonged to the Blues. And what a way to do it.

What it means...

The Blues take all three points away from our first meeting with the Premier League champions this season, and move up to sixth in the Premier League table.

What comes next...

The international break, followed by an away trip to Nottingham Forest.

The teams

Chelsea: Sanchez; Gusto, Acheampong (Hato 67), Badiashile (Lavia 55), Cucurella; James (c), Caicedo; Pedro Neto (Estevao Willian 75), Fernandez, Garnacho (Gittens 75); Joao Pedro (Guiu 75)
Chelsea substitutes: Jorgensen, Slonina, Emenalo, Buonanotte
Goalscorers: Caicedo 14, Estevao 90+6

Liverpool: Mamardashvili; Bradley (Wirtz 46), Konate (Jones 56), van Dijk, Kerkez (Robertson 55); Gravenberch, Mac Allister (Endo 86), Szoboszlai; Salah, Isak (Ekitike 74), Gakpo
Liverpool substitutes: Woodman, Frimpong, Gomez, Chiesa
Goalscorers: Gakpo 63
Booked: Bradley 34, Szoboszlai 79,