SB Nation • 5 min read

Chelsea 2-1 Liverpool, Player Ratings: Moisés Caicedo, ‘best midfielder in the Premier League’

1. MOISÉS CAICEDO

It’s not for the first time that Moisés Caicedo has shown Liverpool what they missed out on when they lost the transfer battle for his signature, but this may have been his most emphatic showing, and one

to underline the idea that he is the best midfielder in the Premier League.

“[He] was the best player on the pitch by a mile. Forget the goal, which was absolutely incredible, his work around the pitch means he’s two in one. He’s everything and a brilliant midfielder player. He was the best player on the pitch by a mile and if Liverpool had him they would have won, he was that good.

“[He] is the best midfielder in the Premier League at this moment in time. You think of Gravenberch last season and Declan Rice, Rodri obviously, but right now I think we can say he’s the best midfielder in the Premier League.”

-Gary Neville; Sky Sports podcast via Metro

Pundits opinions are just that, but they do help set the narrative and it’s always nice to hear midfielders recognized for their work (and not just goals, as spectacular as Moi’s goal was, as per usual).

2. ESTÊVÃO (8.6, sub)

A new legend is born?

The last player I remember truly announcing himself for Chelsea against Liverpool was Branislav Ivanović, with his two goals against the Reds at Anfield in the 2008-09 Champions League quarterfinals. He would leave the club nearly a decade later with 377 appearances to his name (16th all time). Steve-o couldn’t be a different player from Bane, but if he follows down the same path, he might just etch his name into Blues history.

3. MARC CUCURELLA (8.1)

A quietly excellent performance from the left back, until he served up some proper noise with the perfect assist for the winning goal.

vs. LIVERPOOL (PL, H, W 2-1)

EXCEPTIONAL (8.5-9.5): Caicedo (9.4), Estêvão (8.6, sub)

EXCELLENT (7.5-8.4): Cucurella (8.1), James (7.9)

GOOD (6.5-7.4): Acheampong (7.4), Badiashile (7.4), Enzo (7.3), Garnacho (7.1), Lavia (7.1, sub), Neto (6.9), Gusto (6.9), Hato (6.8, sub), Sánchez (6.7), Gittens (6.6, sub)