Team
With Alisson Becker injured, Giorgi Mamardashvili made his Premier League debut and was one of five changes to the line-up deployed at Galatasaray in midweek.
Conor Bradley, Alexander Isak, Alexis Mac Allister and Mohamed Salah were the other players brought in.
Liverpool: Mamardashvili, Van Dijk, Konate (Jones, 55), Kerkez (Robertson, 55), Szoboszlai, Isak (Ekitike, 74), Mac Allister (Endo, 86), Salah, Bradley (Wirtz, 46), Gakpo, Gravenberch.
Unused subs: Woodman, Gomez, Chiesa, Frimpong.
First half
Despite an encouraging start, Liverpool found themselves behind in the 14th minute.
Caicedo spun past Mac Allister and then decided to drive towards the penalty area, choosing to strike at goal just on the outskirts. The Ecuadorian’s right-footed drive flew into the top corner, leaving Mamardashvili with no chance.
A quick response from the Reds nearly came when Dominik Szoboszlai got on the end of a Gakpo cut-back, only for Benoit Badiashile to get in the way of the midfielder’s side-foot effort.
Past the half-hour mark, Gakpo then created another opportunity – this time for Milos Kerkez, who opted to square in search of Salah instead of firing at goal from a tight angle.
Alejandro Garnacho was inches away from doubling Chelsea’s lead as he clipped the post after the ball made its way to him on the edge of the box through a short-corner routine.
After Garnacho had a penalty appeal turned down by the referee and VAR, Isak then headed over from a Salah cross in the final chance of the opening period.
Second half
Florian Wirtz was introduced at the break in place of Bradley, who had been cautioned in minute 34.
The German was involved immediately and produced a brilliant flick that put Salah through on goal. The resulting finish from the Egyptian found the wrong side of the net, however.
With both sides making personnel and tactical changes, the game grew more open as opportunities came the way of Salah, Garnacho and Pedro Neto.
The next one fell to Liverpool and was converted by Gakpo.
Szoboszlai, now playing at right-back, sent a cross into the area from the touchline and it was nudged on by Isak through to the goalscorer, who poked home from close range to set up a fascinating final half hour.
Mamardashvili stepped up with impressive saves to deny Jamie Gittens and Estevao in quick succession, with Szoboszlai going close at the other end following a counter.
Enzo Fernandez’s header from Estevao delivery struck the post before Curtis Jones fired over, and there was still time for a final chance.
Marc Cucurella sent in a first-time cross that was met at the back post by Estevao, who converted to snatch victory for the hosts.
