Mourinho’s Emotional Praise as Chelsea Stun Liverpool at the Bridge
London, October 5, 2025 – Jose Mourinho, Chelsea’s iconic former manager, was full of emotion as he reflected on the Blues’ dramatic 2-1 win over Liverpool at Stamford Bridge. Speaking to TNT Sports after Saturday’s clash, the Portuguese great — who won three Premier League titles and a Champions League with the club — gave an impassioned endorsement of Enzo Maresca’s rising side.
“Chelsea is a team I know inside out,” Mourinho said, his voice tinged with nostalgia. “You don’t often see them fall short against the biggest clubs. In finals, in the toughest moments, they deliver. Tonight’s win over Liverpool is another reminder of that.”
It was fitting that Mourinho’s words came almost exactly 20 years after his arrival at the Bridge in 2004 — a move that launched an era of dominance in English football. Now managing Fenerbahçe in Turkey, he watched from afar but spoke with the intensity of a man reliving old battles.
A Game of Grit and Magic
Chelsea, set up in Maresca’s well-drilled 4-2-3-1, had to absorb Liverpool pressure but struck at crucial moments. Moisés Caicedo broke the deadlock on 35 minutes with a thunderbolt from distance, a strike that underlined his evolution into one of the Premier League’s most complete midfielders.
Liverpool responded after the interval when Mohamed Salah, teed up by Cody Gakpo, found the net in the 60th minute. But Chelsea’s defensive resilience, led by a rejuvenated Marc Cucurella, kept the Reds at arm’s length. The Spaniard’s tireless tracking of Salah won plaudits from pundits and fans alike.
Then came the decisive moment. Deep into stoppage time, Cole Palmer slid a pass into the path of 18-year-old Estêvão Willian. The Brazilian, already living up to his £50 million billing, calmly slotted past Giorgi Mamardashvili to send Stamford Bridge into raptures. The result lifted Chelsea to fourth, while Liverpool slumped to a third defeat in five games.
“This is Chelsea DNA,” Mourinho said. “The hunger, the mentality, the refusal to flinch when it matters most. Maresca is building on what we started: a team that never backs down.”
Carragher, Neville Echo Mourinho
The Special One’s comments resonated across the footballing world. Jamie Carragher, analyzing on Sky Sports, had already hailed Cucurella’s “incredible” display, while Gary Neville agreed on his podcast: “This Chelsea side has that old Mourinho swagger in big games. Beating Liverpool like this is a statement.”
For Maresca, the praise could not have come at a better time. The Italian, now in his second season, has had to steer Chelsea through a turbulent rebuild while dealing with long-term injuries to key players such as Reece James and Romeo Lavia. But with Cucurella thriving, new signing Alejandro Garnacho impressing, and Estevão emerging as a star, the squad appears to be clicking into gear.
“Hearing Jose’s words means a lot,” Maresca admitted after the match. “He’s the blueprint here. Our belief comes from hard work, and tonight the players showed that spirit.”
Liverpool Left Searching
For Liverpool, the result was another setback in a faltering title defense. Manager Arne Slot admitted frustration at his side’s lack of cutting edge: “We had our spells of dominance but didn’t finish. Chelsea punished us, and that’s the difference.”
Questions continue to swirl around big-name arrivals like Florian Wirtz, who was withdrawn at halftime, and Alexander Isak, who remains short of his best form. With Arsenal and Manchester City both in strong positions, the Reds’ slip to third has intensified pressure on Slot.
Mourinho’s Spirit Still at the Bridge
Though he left Chelsea a decade ago, Mourinho’s connection with the club remains unbreakable. Even in 2023, when he returned with Roma, he was met with a hero’s ovation. On Saturday, his endorsement carried an almost prophetic weight.
“They’ll be there at the business end,” he predicted. “Mark my words.”
For Chelsea, this victory was more than three points. It was a declaration of intent, a reminder that their pedigree in high-stakes matches remains intact. And with Mourinho himself offering his blessing, the sense around Stamford Bridge is clear: the Special One’s spirit still lingers, and Chelsea may just be ready to channel it once more.
