Mohamed Salah offered an unexpected confession that quickly caught the football world’s attention. The Egyptian forward, renowned for dismantling defenses across Europe, admitted that he found Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella a difficult opponent to face.
“He’s such a good defender. I could hardly get past him. I’d say I was a little bit scared of him,” Salah said with a laugh during a post-match interview with beIN Sports. His light-hearted admission came after a frustrating night where he was largely contained by the Spanish left-back, who delivered one of his finest performances since joining Chelsea.
The match itself was a Premier League spectacle. Moisés Caicedo opened the scoring for Chelsea with a stunning long-range effort in the 35th minute, only for Salah to equalize midway through the second half after connecting with Cody Gakpo’s low cross. But it was 18-year-old Estêvão Willian who sealed the win in stoppage time, slotting home Cole Palmer’s precise pass to send Stamford Bridge into celebration.
While Chelsea climbed to fourth in the table with the victory, Salah’s remarks about Cucurella stole much of the spotlight. The Spaniard, often criticized early in his Chelsea career after a big-money move from Brighton, has found redemption under manager Enzo Maresca. Operating in a fluid 4-2-3-1 system, Cucurella displayed immense discipline and tenacity against Liverpool — winning 10 of 12 duels, completing six tackles and four interceptions, and maintaining a 94% pass accuracy from 85 touches.
“I respect him a lot – he’s quick, strong, and reads the game so well,” Salah added. “He made me think twice every time I tried to cut inside.”
Cucurella’s resurgence has not gone unnoticed. Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher praised his performance, saying, “He made Mo Salah look human, which is no small feat.” Chelsea legend José Mourinho also commented on social media: “That’s the kind of fear factor Chelsea used to have — Marc has it now.”
The victory reflected Maresca’s growing influence on a Chelsea side that looks increasingly confident despite injuries and squad changes. Garnacho’s late assist, Palmer’s creative spark, and Cucurella’s defensive brilliance combined to deliver a statement win for the Blues.
For Liverpool, however, the loss exposed tactical shortcomings. Despite dominating possession, Arne Slot’s side struggled to create meaningful chances, with Salah’s goal standing as their only clear breakthrough. Questions over Florian Wirtz’s fit and Darwin Núñez’s finishing continue to linger as the Reds prepare for a crucial clash against Manchester City.
Still, Salah’s honesty offered a rare glimpse into the mutual respect shared by elite players. His candid acknowledgment of Cucurella’s quality underscores how far the Spaniard has come — from being written off to earning praise from one of football’s most feared attackers.
As the international break begins, Chelsea carry momentum and belief, while Liverpool regroup to address their inconsistencies. For Cucurella, the night was more than a victory — it was vindication
