Jose Mourinho couldn’t hide his admiration after Chelsea’s victory over Liverpool as he praised the Blues’ mentality in big games. “Chelsea is a team I know inside out. You rarely see them lose against the biggest clubs, they always rise to the occasion in finals and tough matches. Tonight’s win over Liverpool is another strong proof of that.”
Mourinho Lauds Chelsea's 'Big-Game Mentality' in Emotional Tribute After Dramatic Liverpool Triumph
London, October 5, 2025 – Jose Mourinho, the legendary former Chelsea manager whose name is etched into the club’s storied history, could barely contain his emotions as he reflected on the Blues’ hard-fought 2-1 victory over Liverpool at Stamford Bridge. Speaking exclusively to TNT Sports in a post-match interview, the Portuguese tactician – who guided Chelsea to three Premier League titles and a Champions League crown during his two spells at the club – delivered a heartfelt endorsement of Enzo Maresca’s young side. “Chelsea is a team I know inside out. You rarely see them lose against the biggest clubs, they always rise to the occasion in finals and tough matches. Tonight’s win over Liverpool is another strong proof of that,” Mourinho declared, his voice laced with pride and a touch of nostalgia.
The win, sealed by Estêvão Willian’s stoppage-time heroics on Saturday evening, has sent ripples through the Premier League, reigniting discussions about Chelsea’s potential to challenge for silverware this season. Mourinho, currently managing Fenerbahçe in the Turkish Super Lig, watched the game from afar but tuned in with the intensity of a man reliving his own glory days. His comments come at a poignant time: exactly 20 years since his arrival at Stamford Bridge in 2004, which ushered in an era of dominance that redefined English football. For a manager often dubbed “The Special One,” praising his old club unreservedly is no small gesture, especially amid Chelsea’s ongoing transition under American owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital.
Then came the moment of magic: in the 95th minute, Cole Palmer’s precise through ball found Estêvão, the 18-year-old Brazilian winger whose £50 million transfer from Palmeiras is already paying dividends. The teenager’s cool finish – a low drive into the bottom corner – sparked pandemonium among the 40,000-strong crowd, propelling Chelsea to fourth in the table and leaving Liverpool nursing a third defeat in five outings. It was a goal that embodied the “big-game mentality” Mourinho extolled, a refusal to yield against a side stacked with Champions League pedigree.
Mourinho’s admiration wasn’t limited to the result; he delved deeper into Chelsea’s psychological edge. “I’ve won everything with them – leagues, cups, Europe – and what stands out is that hunger in the eyes of the players when the stakes are high. It’s not just talent; it’s that Chelsea DNA. Maresca is building on what we started: a team that doesn’t flinch.” The 62-year-old, who last managed Chelsea in 2015 before his acrimonious exit, has rarely been this effusive about his successors. His words carry weight, given his own unbeaten record against Liverpool in league fixtures during his tenure (five wins, three draws). Yet, Mourinho tempered his praise with a nod to Liverpool’s struggles: “Arne Slot has quality, but Chelsea exposed their vulnerabilities tonight. That’s what winners do.”
Across the airwaves, Mourinho’s sentiments were echoed by other voices in football. Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher, a Liverpool icon, had already singled out Cucurella’s “incredible” display the night before, calling it a performance unseen from a Chelsea player in years. Gary Neville, analyzing on his podcast, agreed: “Mourinho’s right – this Chelsea side has that old swagger in crunch ties. Beating Liverpool here? That’s statement stuff.” Even neutral observers noted the parallels to Mourinho’s 2004-05 invincible campaign, where Chelsea dismantled rivals with a blend of steel and flair.
second season at the helm, has navigated a squad overhaul marred by injuries and high expectations. Key absences like Reece James (hamstring) and Romeo Lavia (knee) tested the depth, yet stand-ins like Cucurella and the summer arrival Alejandro Garnacho – who dazzled with an assist on Estêvão’s winner – rose to the fore. “Hearing from Jose means a lot; he’s the blueprint for success here,” Maresca said post-match. “Our mentality comes from belief – we train for these moments.”
Liverpool’s camp, by contrast, was subdued. Slot lamented his side’s lack of ruthlessness: “We dominated spells but couldn’t kill it off. Chelsea’s mentality won out.” The defeat has intensified scrutiny on high-profile signings like Florian Wirtz, who was hooked at halftime after a subdued showing, and raised questions about the Reds’ title defense. With Manchester City and Arsenal lurking, Liverpool’s slip to third underscores the cutthroat nature of the top flight.
The match itself was a microcosm of the resilience Mourinho referenced. Chelsea, under Maresca’s meticulous 4-2-3-1 setup, absorbed Liverpool’s second-half pressure with characteristic grit before striking decisively. Moisés Caicedo’s 35th-minute rocket – a 25-yard screamer that swerved past Giorgi Mamardashvili – set the tone, showcasing the midfielder’s evolution into a box-to-box powerhouse. Liverpool equalized through Mohamed Salah’s opportunistic finish in the 60th minute, assisted by Cody Gakpo, but Chelsea’s backline, anchored by a revitalized Marc Cucurella, held firm. The Spaniard’s man-marking on Salah was masterful, restricting the Liverpool talisman to minimal threat beyond his goal.
Mourinho’s intervention adds a layer of intrigue to Chelsea’s resurgence. As Fenerbahçe’s manager, he’s no stranger to big derbies, but his bond with Chelsea remains unbreakable – a fact evident in his 2023 return to Stamford Bridge as Roma boss, where he received a hero’s ovation despite a loss. Now, with the Blues eyeing a top-two finish, his endorsement feels prophetic. “They’ll be there at the business end,” he predicted. “Mark my words.”
This victory isn’t just three points; it’s a reminder of Chelsea’s enduring allure in the Premier League’s glamour ties. From Mourinho’s glory years to Pochettino’s near-misses and now Maresca’s ascent, the club has a knack for shining brightest under pressure. As the international break looms, Chelsea fans will savor the words of their most iconic son: proof positive that the Special One’s spirit still haunts Stamford Bridge – and, tonight, it helped deliver a special win.
