£40m summer signing runs the show: Three Chelsea decisions Enzo Maresca got spot on vs Liverpool

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(Credit: Imago) Sat 4 October 2025 19:35, UK Chelsea scored a last-minute winner against Liverpool and Enzo Maresca deserves immense praise for his decision-making.The Blues’ recent form has seen them slip down the early-season standings, and the 3-1 loss against Brighton was particularly concerning as the West London side conceded twice in added time.As a consequence, Maresca’s position as Chelsea boss has come under threat and the Italian manager desperately needed a good result against Liverpool.And a good result he got, as his side went toe-to-toe with the reigning Premier League champions, in no small part thanks to the decisions made by their manager.Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking MediaAlejandro Garnacho torments Conor BradleyAlejandro Garnacho joined Chelsea in the summer for £40million [BBC Sport], but prior to the match against Liverpool, the former Man United had played just 11 Premier League minutes this season.Unleashed against the Reds, Conor Bradley will be seeing the twisty, mazy runs from the 21-year-old in his nightmares.Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking MediaGarnacho‘s talent has never been in question, although the same cannot be said for his attitude. MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES But if he can continue to put in performances similar to Saturday’s masterclass, Maresca will finally have his solution at left wing, justifying his push to sign the Argentina international this summer.Malo Gusto man-marks Alexis Mac Allister out of the gameMalo Gusto’s career at Chelsea has been filled with uncertainty.The Frenchman is supremely capable, but has often found it difficult to maintain a place in the Blues’ starting XI, given that Reece James is the first-choice.Last season, Maresca toyed with putting Gusto at right-back and the Englishman in midfield, but James struggled to have any meaningful impact in the middle of the park.Credit: SportimageThe Italian manager seems to have been on the right track; he just had his personnel in the wrong order.Gusto was incredible against Liverpool, man-marking Alexis Mac Allister out of the game, and he was able to show off both his athleticism and playmaking abilities.Sadly, the former Lyon man was forced to return to a more defensive position due to other injuries suffered, but it would be a surprise if this was his last time playing in Chelsea’s midfield.Chelsea players encouraged to take risksThe Premier League seems to be returning to a more mid-2010s style, and it is oddly comforting.Big bruising number nines are back in vogue, long throws are a reliable means of goal-scoring, and most relevant to Chelsea, long shots are back on the menu.

Frank Lampard, Michael Essien, and even the likes of Alex and Branislav Ivanovic have nearly torn the goal nets at Stamford Bridge with their strikes from distance in years gone by.Credit: ImagoWonderfully, Maresca seems to be encouraging his players to do the same as Moises Caicedo scored one from distance and came close with another.Moreover, Chelsea looked liberated against Liverpool and routinely took risks where others may have played it safe. They went for the king, and they didn’t miss.

And for that, all credit should go to Maresca.