‘How is That Possible?’ – Liverpool Star’s Comment to Ref After Estevao’s Chelsea Winner

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has lifted the lid on his heated post-match conversation with referee Anthony Taylor following Liverpool’s heartbreaking 2-1 defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday evening. The Dutch defender was visibly frustrated as the Reds succumbed to a last-minute winner from Chelsea’s teenage sensation Estevao, who netted his first Premier League goal in the 96th minute to stun the defending champions.

It was a night of immense frustration for Liverpool, who had looked set to snatch at least a point before Estevao’s dramatic strike crushed their hopes. The defeat not only marked Liverpool’s third consecutive loss under new manager Arne Slot, but also symbolized a troubling dip in form that has seen the club’s early-season promise begin to fade. The result means the Reds have now surrendered their top spot to Arsenal going into the October international break.

This loss was particularly painful given its similarity to the previous week’s disappointment. Just a week earlier, Liverpool had also fallen to a stoppage-time goal in London, when Eddie Nketiah’s 97th-minute strike secured all three points for Crystal Palace. For a side once famed for their late comebacks, the tables have now turned cruelly, with the Reds on the receiving end of last-gasp heartbreaks.

After the final whistle, cameras captured Van Dijk deep in discussion with referee Anthony Taylor, visibly questioning the amount of stoppage time that had been played. According to the Liverpool Echo, the captain approached Taylor to seek clarification on the additional minutes that allowed Chelsea to score their winner.

“I saw the celebrations for Estevao’s goal, and rightly so,” Van Dijk said post-match. “But I thought the celebrations went on for over two minutes. When the whistle finally blew, it was the 98th minute. I was thinking: ‘How is that possible?’ I was just asking a polite question — not angry, not aggressive — I just wanted to understand the logic behind it.”

While the frustration was evident, Van Dijk was quick to emphasize that Liverpool’s problems go deeper than a matter of seconds. “That is not where the main focus should be,” he admitted. “We should improve — that’s the real issue. We know we can do better, and the good thing is that we have the chance to work on it when we come back.”

The defender’s remarks encapsulate the mood at Anfield right now — one of quiet determination tinged with disappointment. Despite dominating stretches of the game, Liverpool’s defensive lapses and loss of composure in key moments continue to haunt them. The team has now conceded seven more goals than they had at this stage last season, a worrying sign for Slot, whose early tenure has been characterized by inconsistency and growing pains.

Still, there are reasons for optimism. Liverpool remain only three points worse off than they were at this point last campaign, and their attacking flair remains intact. What’s missing is the solidity and control that once defined them under Jürgen Klopp. The Dutch manager now faces the challenge of finding his best lineup amid a summer of massive transition that saw 15 players leave and over £400 million spent on new arrivals.

Slot’s Liverpool has shown flashes of brilliance but also moments of confusion, as the new system and personnel continue to bed in. Players like Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister are still adapting to their roles, while the defensive unit — long anchored by Van Dijk — is struggling to rediscover its balance. The lack of cohesion was evident in the build-up to Estevao’s goal, where positional errors left the youngster unmarked at the far post.

The international break may have arrived at just the right time for Liverpool. It offers Arne Slot and his players a brief window to regroup, reset, and rediscover their rhythm ahead of a crucial clash against Manchester United at Anfield. That fixture, always fiery and emotional, now carries extra weight as the Reds aim to halt their slump and reignite their title ambitions.

Despite the recent setbacks, Van Dijk remains confident that Liverpool can turn things around. His leadership and calm resolve will be key in guiding the team through this turbulent phase. As he put it: “We’ve been through tough spells before. What matters is how we respond — and we will respond.”

For now, the question that lingers isn’t just Van Dijk’s — “How is that possible?” — but how Liverpool can rediscover the resilience that once made them champions. With a squad in transition and a new philosophy taking shape, the next few weeks could define the direction of their season.