3 hours ago
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Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has received support to utilize his team's dramatic 2-1 triumph over Liverpool - along with his passionate response to it - as a catalyst to strengthen what has occasionally been a strained relationship with the club's supporters.
The Italian celebrated wildly on the sideline and was sent off after receiving his second yellow card following Willian Estevao's stoppage-time winner that inflicted a third consecutive defeat across all competitions on the Reds.
Maresca had already been booked during the opening period for his protests whilst appealing for a spot-kick when Alejandro Garnacho tumbled following contact from Dominik Szoboszlai.
Following his dismissal, FA regulations prevented him from attending his post-match media duties, prompting his assistant coach and former Chelsea goalkeeper Willy Caballero to suggest the manager could harness this occasion as a pivotal moment.
"I believe Enzo has a good connection with the supporters," said Caballero.
"Any win in the last second, against Liverpool, big teams, can give you a little bit more.
"In the last 30 minutes, the whole crowd were pushing and living the game.
"We want to create the environment that is nasty for the away team to give you legs or wings to run in the last minutes.
"Hopefully we can keep creating this environment."
Discussing Maresca's reaction following the final whistle in a match that pivoted on his tactical changes from the bench, Caballero added: "He's okay.
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"He cannot be here because of the red card but we're so happy.
"He wanted to do the press conference but he also wanted to praise the players for the effort.
"We deserved the win because of the chances we created.
"Not just this week but for weeks we have been holding in emotions. We have played well in the last couple of games but have finished them with 10 players.
"Today was really important. The players did really well. The players from the bench were ready to play."
* An AI tool was used to add an extra layer to the editing process for this story. You can read the original story in the Liverpool ECHO by clicking here.
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