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Chelsea defenders turned on Kepa Arrizabalaga during the Blues’ defeat to Liverpool at Anfield.
The days of Kepa Arrizabalaga at Chelsea could be numbered after Blues defenders appeared to turn on their goalkeeper during defeat to Liverpool. Frank Lampard’s men missed a chance to secure a top-four finish and Champions League qualification after suffering a 5-3 loss at Anfield.
Naby Keita, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Georginio Wijnaldum gave Liverpool a 3-0 lead before Olivier Giroud bundled home in first-half injury time.
The Reds stretched their advantage again through Roberto Firmino but Chelsea substitutes Tammy Abraham and Christian Pulisic set up a grandstand finish before Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain sealed victory for the Premier League champions in the closing minutes.
Naby Keita, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Georginio Wijnaldum gave Liverpool a 3-0 lead before Olivier Giroud bundled home in first-half injury time.
The Reds stretched their advantage again through Roberto Firmino but Chelsea substitutes Tammy Abraham and Christian Pulisic set up a grandstand finish before Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain sealed victory for the Premier League champions in the closing minutes.
The Blues now need at least a point against Wolves at Stamford Bridge on Sunday to book their spot at the top table of European football next term, while the defeat means they only have the 13th-best defensive record in the top flight.
And communication appears to have completely broken down between Kepa and his defence, highlighted by one key incident in the defeat to Liverpool.
With Chelsea 5-3 down in injury time, the Spaniard stayed rooted to his line as Andrew Robertson’s free-kick flashed across the six-yard box.
While Virgil Van Dijk spooned the chance over at the back post, a number of Chelsea players were heard bellowing Kepa’s name as they pleaded with their keeper to come and claim the cross.
Captain Cesar Azpilicueta was spotted gesturing at his compatriot while several other Blues angrily reacted towards their stopper’s lack of action.
Kepa has endured an inconsistent Stamford Bridge career since joining from Athletic Bilbao for £71million in 2018, and it looks like his time in west London could be coming to an end.
Arriving as the world’s most expensive goalkeeper, the 25-year-old publicly fell out with former Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri before being dropped by Lampard earlier this year.
Kepa was recalled to the starting XI shortly before lockdown but has regularly been linked with a move away from the Blues this summer.
Most recently, the goalkeeper has been touted for a loan to Valencia while Atletico Madrid star Jan Oblak is being lined up as a replacement.
Dean Henderson and Marc-Andre ten Stegen have also been mentioned as Lampard plans a major squad overhaul this summer.
Kepa is well-regarded in Spain but Chelsea will struggle to recoup the fee paid for him two years ago.
Lampard is thought to remain unconvinced about his No 1 and challenged Kepa ahead of the Liverpool clash.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Lampard said: “‘What do I value in a goalkeeper? I think clearly you want them to be able to be as talented to keep balls out of the net, it’s old school but obviously the first and foremost job of what a goalkeeper keeps close to their heart, the idea of clean sheets.
“It’s not always solely on them, of course. For a keeper to have a real desire and talent to produce that. But in the modern day they are even more involved in the play than ever, to use their feet, to be a personality, to be an all-round goalkeeper which you see with top level goalkeepers in the world.
We are fortunate at Chelsea where we can certainly say goalkeepers were part of huge eras at the club.
“That has to be Kepa’s desire to be that person for this club and be a goalkeeper in his own right and he can say he is a huge part of a successful team. It’s not just on Kepa that. But in his own way that’s what he has to believe and work towards.”
While Virgil Van Dijk spooned the chance over at the back post, a number of Chelsea players were heard bellowing Kepa’s name as they pleaded with their keeper to come and claim the cross.
Captain Cesar Azpilicueta was spotted gesturing at his compatriot while several other Blues angrily reacted towards their stopper’s lack of action.
Kepa has endured an inconsistent Stamford Bridge career since joining from Athletic Bilbao for £71million in 2018, and it looks like his time in west London could be coming to an end.
Arriving as the world’s most expensive goalkeeper, the 25-year-old publicly fell out with former Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri before being dropped by Lampard earlier this year.
Kepa was recalled to the starting XI shortly before lockdown but has regularly been linked with a move away from the Blues this summer.
Most recently, the goalkeeper has been touted for a loan to Valencia while Atletico Madrid star Jan Oblak is being lined up as a replacement.
Dean Henderson and Marc-Andre ten Stegen have also been mentioned as Lampard plans a major squad overhaul this summer.
Kepa is well-regarded in Spain but Chelsea will struggle to recoup the fee paid for him two years ago.
Lampard is thought to remain unconvinced about his No 1 and challenged Kepa ahead of the Liverpool clash.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Lampard said: “‘What do I value in a goalkeeper? I think clearly you want them to be able to be as talented to keep balls out of the net, it’s old school but obviously the first and foremost job of what a goalkeeper keeps close to their heart, the idea of clean sheets.
“It’s not always solely on them, of course. For a keeper to have a real desire and talent to produce that. But in the modern day they are even more involved in the play than ever, to use their feet, to be a personality, to be an all-round goalkeeper which you see with top level goalkeepers in the world.
We are fortunate at Chelsea where we can certainly say goalkeepers were part of huge eras at the club.
“That has to be Kepa’s desire to be that person for this club and be a goalkeeper in his own right and he can say he is a huge part of a successful team. It’s not just on Kepa that. But in his own way that’s what he has to believe and work towards.”
