To anyone watching from the away end at Stamford Bridge, Sunday’s clash between Liverpool and Chelsea felt more like a celebration than a competitive Premier League match.
The red-clad fans were in full voice, waving balloons that spelled out “champions” and belting out their favourite songs—not the usual reaction to a 3-1 defeat.
For Liverpool supporters, the title was already secured, and this game was little more than a glorified friendly.
But for some of the players wearing red, this was anything but meaningless.
For them, it was a rare opportunity to prove they belong in Arne Slot’s plans going forward—or at least to boost their chances of finding a new home come summer.
Liverpool’s Rotated Lineup Struggles to Find Rhythm
Slot decided to shuffle the deck for this one. A number of regular starters were rested, including Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai, while Ryan Gravenberch stayed home entirely—understandable given he’s expecting a baby with his partner.
That left the door open for fringe players like Harvey Elliott, Jarell Quansah, Wataru Endo, and Kostas Tsimikas to stake their claim.
But truth be told, Liverpool never really got into their stride.
Passes went astray, touches were heavy, and there were moments where you wondered if they had enjoyed one too many pints the night before.
Still, the mood remained upbeat—even when the final whistle confirmed a rare loss.
For Some, This Match Meant Everything
While the outcome didn’t affect the table, it meant everything to the players who’ve spent most of the season on the sidelines.
With a major squad reshuffle looming this summer, several of them were effectively playing for their futures.
Harvey Elliott, for example, finally got his first Premier League start of the season—yes, game number 35.
That alone says a lot. He’s openly expressed his desire to stay and fight for his place, calling Liverpool “my club,” but injuries and inconsistent form have made that an uphill battle.
Elliott and Quansah Show Glimpses but Don’t Seal the Deal
Elliott had some bright moments but didn’t quite make a strong enough case to silence the doubts.
After recovering from a broken foot suffered on international duty with England’s Under-21s, Slot admitted he hasn’t looked quite the same—less confident, a little cautious.
Quansah, on the other hand, had an even tougher evening.
He was unlucky to score an own goal and later gave away a penalty thanks to a poorly timed pass.
Still, aside from those unfortunate incidents, he showed flashes of promise and composure.
There’s clearly something to build on there.
A Glimpse Into Liverpool’s Future… or Farewell?
It wasn’t just Elliott and Quansah auditioning. Darwin Núñez and Federico Chiesa also came off the bench, both of whom are facing uncertain futures themselves.
Whether these players will be part of Slot’s vision next season or moved on remains to be seen—but every minute matters when decisions are looming.
In many ways, this was a no-lose situation for Liverpool. Either the fringe players prove they deserve a place in the squad or they increase their transfer value heading into a big summer window.
That’s smart business no matter how you look at it.
The Verdict: No Stars, No Failures Either
Let’s be honest—none of the players completely stole the show.
But at the same time, no one completely flopped either.
It was a mixed bag of performances from a team that already knows their season’s biggest goal has been achieved.
For now, they’ll get more chances in the remaining weeks.
And while Sunday may not go down in the history books, it might just play a part in shaping Liverpool’s next chapter under Arne Slot.
