“Is there something his managers know that I do not?” - Pat Nevin names one player who could have helped Chelsea in defeat against Liverpool

Pundit Pat Nevin has insinuated that Chelsea shot themselves in the foot by not playing Portuguese forward Joao Felix in their weekend defeat to Liverpool. The Blues succumbed to a narrow 2-1 defeat at the hands of the Reds to suffer only their second loss in the league this season.

Enzo Maresca's side were outfoxed by their hosts in what was a keenly contested encounter at Anfield, with both sides showing great quality. The Blues struggled against a compact defensive setup from their opponents, leading to questions about the personnel used in the game.

Writing for BBC Sport, former Chelsea man Pat Nevin opined that Maresca did himself a disservice by not calling on Joao Felix in the game. The pundit pointed out that the forward is good enough to get more chances after he was an unused sub in the game against Liverpool. Nevin wrote:

"As someone openly wanting a Chelsea win but always brutally honest enough to accept when we are second best on the day, there was one player I wanted introduced more than any other - Joao Felix. Enzo Maresca made five changes when creation was needed and the Portugal playmaker was not called on."

"Is there something his managers know that I do not? Because in terms of skill and creativity, he clearly deserves more chances if Chelsea are going to have a chance."

The 24-year-old joined the side from Atletico Madrid in the summer while Conor Gallagher went the opposite direction in a separate move. The Portugal international has featured five times in the Premier League for the side, with just one goal to his name.

Felix finds himself behind the stellar Cole Palmer in the pecking order at the club, resulting in limited game time. He has mostly started cup games for the side this season, featuring in the Carabao Cup and UEFA Europa Conference League.

Liverpool sniffing around Chelsea youngster - Reports

Liverpool are interested in making a move for Chelsea teenager Josh Acheampong amid his contract situation at the club. The 18-year-old academy star has been frozen out at Stamford Bridge amid a contract standoff with his club.

The Reds signed 16-year-old academy star Rio Ngumoha from the Blues in the summer and are looking to do the same with Acheampong. The England U-20 international is contracted to the Blues until 2026 and has featured once for the senior side this season.

Liverpool are one of the sides linked with the unsettled teenager, alongside Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund. The right-back finds himself behind Reece James and Malo Gusto in the pecking order and is reportedly keen to get assurances about first-team minutes before signing.