Champions League reaction: Liverpool lose, Chelsea win and Spurs draw

'They have to be careful they don't become predictable'

Mario Melchiot

Former Netherlands defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

Former Chelsea defender Mario Melchiot on BBC Radio 5 Live speaking about Chelsea missing Cole Palmer: "You’re talking about someone that opens the door and makes it more creative and interesting for them.

"They have to be careful they don't become predictable and waiting only for Palmer. He is the one who makes the team so unpredictable and difficult to beat."

'You’ve got to be a little bit smarter'

Mario Melchiot

Former Netherlands defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

Former Chelsea defender Mario Melchiot on BBC Radio 5 Live on Chelsea receiving their third red card in four games: "I think sometimes you have to be smart when things happen to you. Two minutes before the end [Joao] Pedro gets a red card. In the game before that it was [Trevoh] Chalobah and then [Robert] Sanchez.

"The last two people you can say OK there were moments, things can happen but the one with Pedro when I looked at it yesterday you have to be smart, it’s your second yellow card and two minutes to go.

"It has nothing to do with it being necessary because sometimes you have to take one for the team and you don’t care but this one he was so far from the goal. You’ve got to be a little bit smarter. Don’t pick up cards like that. They’re missing key players now."

Do Chelsea have a red card problem?

Chelsea 1-0 Benfica

Joao Pedro's late sending off on Tuesday means Chelsea have been reduced to 10 players in three of their last four matches.

The Brazil forward was shown a second yellow card for a high foot in the final seconds of injury-time.

Goalkeeper Robert Sanchez saw red for a last-man foul just four minutes into a 2-1 defeat to Manchester United 10 days ago.

On Saturday, Trevoh Chalobah committed was sent off for a last-man foul with Chelsea leading Brighton 1-0; they went on to lose 3-1.

While Joao Pedro's dismissal did not affect the result on Tuesday, Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca may be concerned his side have a discipline issue.

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Chelsea 1-0 Benfica

Alex Brotherton

BBC Sport journalist

Chelsea got off the mark in the Champions League with a win against Benfica, courtesy of a first-half own goal from Richard Rios.

Enzo Maresca's side deserved to add to their lead, but it wasn't all good news at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues had ANOTHER player sent off, this time Joao Pedro deep into injury-time. More on that shortly.

Chelsea fans, were you happy with your side's performance against Benfica?

Thumbs up for yes, down for no.

Old friends and custard creams on Mourinho's Chelsea return

Chelsea 1-0 Benfica

Jose Mourinho tasted defeat on his return to Stamford Bridge on Tuesday, as his Benfica lost 1-0 to Chelsea in the Champions League.

The 'Special One' had his name sung on three occasions by the home fans, and during his post-match press conference was reunited with an old friend.

Brian Pullman worked at Chelsea for 56 years before retiring in 2024, but was in the media conference room to catch up with Mourinho.

Grinning, Mourinho asked "where are my favourite biscuits?"

Pullman moved a nearby tea towel to reveal half a dozen custard creams. The Portuguese took a couple, then grabbed the rest as he stood up to leave.

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Craig Nelson

BBC Sport reporter

Crystal Palace have come out of this morning with quite a bit of kudos.

We had Matt earlier suggesting Arne Slot should have tried to sign the entire spine of the Eagles' team this summer.

He accidentally missed out goalkeeper Dean Henderson, but that was probably just an oversight.

Now CJ is underlining how much of a FANTASTIC team they are, and rightly so.

Liverpool, remember, kicked off a run of back-to-back defeats at Selhurst Park at the weekend, before losing at Galatasaray last night.

So before we move on to Chelsea, let's round off this section with a final message from another Palace fan...

'It could’ve been worse' for Liverpool

Galatasaray 1-0 Liverpool

Pat Nevin

Former Chelsea winger on BBC Radio 5 Live

At half-time, Andros [Townsend] was saying how Liverpool were getting caught with the press and not playing it out well and being a little bit slow in movement and you think this won’t happen again and it did, three or four times.

Victor Osimhen could’ve scored two goals and there were other opportunities.

They could’ve flipped the ball through because of Liverpool's floppiness.

It could’ve been worse than 1-0.

'Liverpool created more than enough to get something'

Galatasaray 1-0 Liverpool

Former Tottenham midfielder Andros Townsend on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast speaking about Liverpool's chances: "I think the problem in the second-half when [Mo] Salah and [Alexander] Isak came on was Galatasaray had closed their spaces, they weren't as open. They were sitting in, protecting their one nil lead, so It's always difficult for an attacking player to get touches.

"In the first half, away from home in the Champions League, I think they created more than enough to get something from that first half.

"I go back to [Hugo] Ekitike's chance, [Florian] Wirtz had a chance, Cody Gakpo early on and [Jeremie] Frimpong had a couple of good cross in situations.

"They created more than enough to get something from that first half. I don't think creativity especially in that first half was an issue."

Salah benched

Galatasaray 1-0 Liverpool

Mohamed Salah started Tuesday's defeat to Galatasaray on the bench, the first time he has done so in a Champions League game since 2022.

The 33-year-old has not been at his best so far this season, though Liverpool boss Arne Slot cited the need to "utilise our squad" as the reason for Salah's omission.

Salah's performances, if not his output, have dropped from his usual high levels - although he has still scored three goals and provided three assists in nine games in all competitions this season.

Is Salah's waning influence and productivity a result of Liverpool's wobble, or perhaps a cause in itself?

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