Wayne Rooney has heaped praise on Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella following the Blues’ battling 1-1 draw at Liverpool on Saturday.
“He Was Unstoppable” – Wayne Rooney Lavishes Praise on Chelsea Left-Back Cucurella
The former Manchester United and England striker believes Cucurella caused Liverpool “big problems” throughout the match at Anfield, where Chelsea ended a miserable run of six successive Premier League defeats.
Ryan Gravenberch fired Liverpool into an early lead with a superb curling strike. But Enzo Fernandez’s cross-turned-shot deceived Reds goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili and pulled Chelsea level before half-time.
Both sides pushed for a winner after the break, yet the game finished all square.
The result leaves Liverpool in fourth place, while Chelsea face a potential slide into the bottom half of the table by the weekend’s end.
Liverpool fans audibly booed their players at the final whistle. Rooney, speaking as a pundit for BBC Sport, sensed frustration among the home crowd throughout the contest.
“I thought Liverpool actually started quite well, got the goal, and then from there Chelsea were the better team,” Rooney said.
“They caused Liverpool big problems, especially Marc Cucurella running behind.”
The Chelsea left-back’s energetic forward runs repeatedly stretched Liverpool’s defence, forcing the Anfield faithful to grow restless.
“The crowd were obviously a bit edgy, which you very rarely get from Liverpool fans,” Rooney added.
“You never like to see that, but it comes from not having the season they hoped for, and after spending a lot of money.”
Liverpool boss Arne Slot also faced jeers when he substituted promising youngster Rio Ngumoha midway through the second half. Slot clarified that the 18-year-old struggled with muscle issues.
“I am the manager and I need to make decisions,” Slot said. “Knowing why makes more sense for people.”
On the full-time boos, Slot admitted: “That’s probably got something to do with us not winning. It completely makes sense people are disappointed.”
Chelsea now turn their attention to an FA Cup final clash with Manchester City, while Liverpool host top-four rivals Aston Villa next weekend.
