London, October 7, 2025 – After Liverpool’s 2-1 Premier League setback at Stamford Bridge, Mohamed Salah, the Egyptian superstar who has long struck fear into defenders, offered a surprisingly candid reflection. The 33-year-old, renowned for his decade-long dominance, identified the one Chelsea player who truly outplayed him on Saturday. “He’s such a good defender. I barely got past him. Honestly, I was a bit scared, lol,” Salah admitted with a sheepish grin during a chat with beIN Sports, laughter softening the sting of being contained. The player in question? Marc Cucurella, the once-criticized Spanish left-back whose commanding performance neutralized Salah and earned the respect of a living legend.
The match itself was a showcase of Premier League drama. Chelsea snatched victory in stoppage time thanks to Estêvão Willian’s teenage dream goal. Enzo Maresca’s side struck first through Moisés Caicedo’s 35th-minute 25-yard rocket, silencing the traveling Kop. Salah leveled in the 60th, finishing Cody Gakpo’s low cross to net his sixth of the season. Yet Chelsea’s resolve peaked in the 95th minute as Cole Palmer’s visionary pass freed Estêvão, the 18-year-old Brazilian prodigy, for a composed finish that sent Stamford Bridge into ecstasy. The result moved Chelsea to fourth, three points behind Arsenal, while Liverpool’s third-place grip wobbled amid three defeats in five matches.
Salah’s praise of Cucurella, however, stole the narrative. Signed for £62 million from Brighton in 2022 amid skepticism, the Spaniard has shed his “error-prone” reputation. Under Maresca’s tactical innovation—a fluid 4-2-3-1—Cucurella has evolved into a hybrid defensive lynchpin. Against Salah, he excelled: 10 of 12 duels won, six tackles, four interceptions, and an astounding 94% pass completion from 85 touches. He shadowed the Egyptian relentlessly, forcing hurried decisions and closing passing lanes with anticipation. Salah, averaging 0.8 goals per game this season, managed only two shots on target, with his equalizer a rare lapse.
“I respect him a lot—he’s fast, strong, and reads the game brilliantly,” Salah continued, the “lol” highlighting the absurdity of admitting fear to a rival. “In training, you face tough defenders, but Marc? He was everywhere, made me think twice every time I cut inside.” Salah’s concession underscores Cucurella’s reinvention as Chelsea’s “monster,” a label coined by teammate Levi Colwill. The 27-year-old’s stats—elite in progressive carries and defensive contributions—reflect Maresca’s emphasis on anticipation and intelligence over raw athleticism.
Accolades flowed after the final whistle. Jamie Carragher, Salah’s former Liverpool teammate, remarked on Sky Sports: “Cucurella did what no Chelsea player has in years—made Mo look human.” Jose Mourinho tweeted: “That’s the fear factor we wanted. Marc’s got it now.” Even Liverpool manager Arne Slot acknowledged: “Wasn’t expecting that, but outstanding.” Gary Lineker called it “the performance of the weekend.” For Cucurella, once jeered in a 2023 derby meltdown, it was redemption. “Hearing that from Mo? Dream come true,” he said, crediting teamwork and the system.
Liverpool’s defeat, meanwhile, exposed cracks in Slot’s project. The Reds, pre-match favorites after midweek Champions League success, faltered in execution: 58% possession, 15 shots, but few clear opportunities beyond Salah’s tap-in. Florian Wirtz’s second consecutive halftime substitution sparked criticism, while Darwin Núñez missed two prime chances. Slot, composed, leaned on Salah’s words: “If Mo says that, it shows the challenge we faced. Cucurella exposed our predictability on the right. We’ll adapt.” With Manchester City approaching and fan forums ablaze, Slot’s early-season honeymoon faces pressure. Liverpool’s restrained spending contrasts sharply with Chelsea’s high-profile acquisitions—Estêvão (£50m) and Alejandro Garnacho (£80m)—revealing a widening gulf.
Chelsea, conversely, are building momentum. Maresca’s squad, navigating injuries to Reece James and Benoît Badiashile, has thrived in adversity. Garnacho’s assist for Estêvão’s winner, combined with Cole Palmer’s eight key passes, showcased flair and cohesion. “We thrive in these fires,” Maresca said. “Marc embodies that—fearless.” The victory, the club’s biggest scalp of the season, harkens back to Mourinho’s fortress-like Chelsea era.
Salah’s admission adds a human layer. In a league of near-superhumans, seeing a “scared” Salah reminds fans of football’s poetic unpredictability. As the international break nears, Liverpool regroup, haunted by a defender turned predator. Chelsea continue their ascent, with Cucurella shining as a beacon in blue—proof that respect, in football, is the ultimate trophy.
