It’s a fixture that always gets the blood pumping—Chelsea versus Liverpool, under the bright Stamford Bridge lights. But as the two Premier League giants prepare to clash on October 4, 2025, all eyes are on one man: Cody Gakpo. The Dutch forward, a key part of Liverpool’s title charge, has a peculiar record that’s got both sets of supporters talking. Despite seven previous meetings with Chelsea, Gakpo has never managed to score or assist against the Blues. Not once. For a player of his caliber, that’s a stat that sticks out like a sore thumb.
“So I’d say Thiago Silva,” Gakpo admitted recently when asked to name his toughest opponent, according to VERSUS on TikTok. It’s a sentiment that echoes through the Premier League, where Silva’s reputation as a defensive mastermind is well-earned. The Brazilian, now 41 and playing for Fluminense in his homeland, spent four glittering years at Chelsea between 2020 and 2024. During that time, he lifted the Champions League trophy and became a cornerstone of the Blues’ backline. His blend of anticipation, intelligence, and sheer presence made him a nightmare for opposing attackers—Gakpo included.
But this weekend, things are different. Thiago Silva is no longer patrolling the Chelsea defense. The Brazilian wall has departed, leaving a sizable gap in both experience and leadership. Chelsea, currently sitting eighth in the Premier League, have yet to find a replacement who can fill Silva’s boots. The club’s recruitment staff have brought in promising young defenders, but as of October 2025, none have consistently performed at the elite level required to anchor the Blues’ backline.
Alan Shearer, the Premier League’s all-time top scorer and now a respected pundit, has weighed in on the situation. He insists that Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca can’t afford to lose what would be a third straight league match for the Blues. The pressure is mounting, not just on the manager, but on a defense that’s looked vulnerable all season. “Chelsea need to sign another defender,” Shearer said, echoing the calls of many supporters. “Ideally, someone with a track record at the highest level.”
Jorrel Hato, one of Chelsea’s young defenders, has openly named Thiago Silva as his footballing idol. “He’s the perfect role model for young defenders with ambitions of reaching the top,” Hato remarked. That admiration is well-placed—Silva’s spell at Chelsea was nothing short of legendary. He wasn’t just a defender; he was a leader, a mentor, and a calming influence in the most high-pressure moments. Even now, as he dazzles fans at Fluminense, his legacy lingers in the corridors of Stamford Bridge.
For Gakpo, Silva’s absence changes the narrative. No longer does he have to outwit a 41-year-old chess master who always seemed to be one step ahead. “Snort, snatch, and nasty,” is how Gakpo once described facing Silva, according to Chelseanews.com. It was like trying to beat your granddad at Ludo—somehow, he just knows. Now, with Chelsea’s backline lacking that same gravitas, the expectation is that Gakpo will finally break his duck.
Liverpool, meanwhile, are flying high at the top of the Premier League table. Their attacking play has been electric, and Gakpo has been central to their success—everywhere except when facing Chelsea. The Reds know that this is the perfect opportunity for the Dutchman to rewrite his story. Stamford Bridge, so often his personal Bermuda Triangle, could finally be the stage for his breakthrough.
But football has a funny way of defying expectations. As one columnist put it, “The more you expect, the more the game trolls you.” It wouldn’t be a shock if some 19-year-old Chelsea defender, previously unknown to the wider footballing world, morphs into Paolo Maldini for 90 minutes. That’s the beauty—and the agony—of the sport.
Still, the facts are hard to ignore. Chelsea’s defense has been leaky this season, and the void left by Thiago Silva’s departure is glaring. The Blues have talented young centre-backs, but none have yet shown the leadership or consistency that defined Silva’s tenure. As of early October 2025, Maresca is adamant that Chelsea need reinforcements. “Blues supporters will understand that they haven’t found a centre-half with the same quality as Silva to replace him because he’s one of the greatest defenders of the 21st century,” reads a recent analysis from The Chelsea Chronicle.
On the other side, Liverpool’s momentum is undeniable. Sitting atop the table, they’ve combined attacking flair with defensive solidity. Gakpo, 26, has matured into a more complete forward, but the Chelsea conundrum remains. Seven games, zero goals, zero assists. The narrative practically writes itself: will this be the night he finally delivers?
The stakes are high for both clubs. For Liverpool, maintaining their position at the summit is crucial as the title race heats up. For Chelsea, a third consecutive league defeat would only intensify scrutiny on Maresca and his young squad. The supporters are restless, the pundits are circling, and the pressure is palpable.
But perhaps the most intriguing subplot is Gakpo’s personal battle. Without Thiago Silva to marshal the defense, the excuses are gone. The Dutchman must seize the moment—or risk having his Chelsea hoodoo become a permanent part of his legacy. “If Gakpo doesn’t deliver against Chelsea this weekend, it’s time to ask harder questions,” wrote one observer. “No Silva. A leaky Chelsea backline. Liverpool at the summit. This is the time to revise the story.”
As kickoff approaches, anticipation is building. Will Gakpo finally find the net, or will Stamford Bridge continue to haunt him? Will Chelsea’s young defenders rise to the occasion, or will Liverpool’s attacking juggernaut prove too much? One thing’s for sure: without Thiago Silva, the script has changed. But in football, the ending is never guaranteed.
With both teams at a crossroads, the upcoming clash promises drama, tension, and perhaps a new chapter in the Gakpo-Chelsea saga. Whether it’s redemption or déjà vu for the Dutchman, fans won’t have to wait long to find out. The action unfolds Saturday evening at Stamford Bridge, and the football world will be watching.
