By Henry Vinter | 12 January 2056
The machine has finally malfunctioned. For the first time in 25 games, Chelsea have failed to win a football match. The “Invincible” run that terrorized European football is over, snapped by a spirited Liverpool side at Anfield.
But as the final whistle blew on a chaotic 3-2 defeat, nobody in the away end cared about the record. They only cared about the scoreboard that mattered: Aggregate: Chelsea 5-3 Liverpool.
Calin Dimario’s side walked a tightrope on Wednesday night. Trailing 2-0 early on and facing an Anfield crowd baying for blood, Chelsea looked mortal for the first time in months. Yet, thanks to late heroics from Júnior and Netanel Sahar—and a helping hand from VAR—they survived the storm to book a Carabao Cup Final date with Southampton.
The 21-Minute Ambush
For an hour, it looked like the impossible might happen. Liverpool, battered 3-0 in the first leg, came out swinging.
In the 17th minute, Cătălin Medeşan converted a penalty after a VAR review to give the hosts hope. Four minutes later, Anfield erupted when Helmut Amschler produced a “deftly executed finish” to make it 2-0 on the night.
Suddenly, the aggregate score was 3-2. Chelsea were wobbling. The 24-game winning streak seemed a distant memory as they struggled to contain a rampage of Red shirts.
The VAR Turning Point
The tie hung in the balance until the 87th minute. Chelsea needed a hero, and they found one in Júnior.
The Brazilian winger fired a “skidding drive” past the keeper, but the celebrations were cut short by the linesman’s flag. For agonizing moments, the stadium held its breath. Then, referee Dominic Stanley signaled to the screen. Goal given.
It was the dagger in Liverpool’s heart. At 2-1 (5-2 aggregate), the comeback was dead.
A Chaotic Finish
The drama wasn’t over. In the 93rd minute, Netanel Sahar equalized from the penalty spot—again confirmed by VAR—to seemingly salvage a draw and the unbeaten run.
But Liverpool refused to let the streak survive. Deep in stoppage time (90+4), Conall Beck rifled home a winner for the hosts. It was a consolation goal in the cup, but a monumental one for the history books. They are the team that finally beat Calin Dimario’s Chelsea.
Wembley Awaits
Despite the loss, Chelsea are through. They will face Southampton at Wembley on Sunday, 27th February.
The perfect record is gone. The pressure of maintaining the streak has lifted. Now, Chelsea can go back to doing what they do best: winning trophies. Liverpool won the battle, but Chelsea won the war.