Liverpool arrived at Stamford Bridge desperate to steady themselves after a turbulent week, but left empty handed once again as Chelsea produced a late twist in a gripping Premier League clash.

Estevao, the teenage sensation, delivered the decisive blow in the dying minutes, sparking wild celebrations in west London and condemning Arne Slot’s side to a third consecutive loss in all competitions.

The champions had hoped to bounce back from their defeat to Crystal Palace, but despite controlling long spells of possession, they were undone by defensive lapses and Chelsea’s fearless counter-attacking play.

Raheem Sterling opened the scoring against his former club, pouncing on a mix-up in the Liverpool backline. Mohamed Salah then dragged his team back into the contest with a trademark curling finish after the break.

But just when it seemed Liverpool had salvaged a valuable point, Estevao rose to the occasion. Meeting a whipped cross with perfect timing, the youngster powered home a header past Mamardashvili to seal the win.

For Chelsea, the result marked another statement performance under their new era, while Liverpool was left staring at unwelcome questions over their title defence and the mounting pressure on Slot.

With an international break looming, the champions will have little time to regroup. Their stuttering form has suddenly turned October into a defining stretch of their season.