Chelsea 1-1 Liverpool
Daniel Sturridge is Liverpool’s hero tonight as he scored a world-class goal, late in the game, to earn his team a priceless and well-deserved point.
The striker had only been on the pitch three minutes when he struck to equalise Eden Hazard’s opener, but Jurgen Klopp’s roll of the dice proved inspirational. This was Premier League football at its most dramatic, and the last-gasp point saver means Liverpool draw level with Manchester City at the top.
In the run-up to the game, Chelsea vs Liverpool predictions had taken a twist after the Blues won the Carabao Cup clash at Anfield on Wednesday. For a long time, it looked like Maurizio Sarri’s team would beat the Reds again.
Two meetings between these two heavyweights were always going to dominate the Premier League 2018 news for the week, and there was plenty for the headline writers to feast on. And, if it needed it, the game took on an extra edge after Manchester City beat Brighton earlier to go to the top of the table.
In his pre-match interview, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp said his side’s trip to Stamford Bridge was ‘not a children’s birthday’ party. But there will be plenty of celebrations on Merseyside as the late goal makes the draw seem like a win.
Highlights of the game
Liverpool came into this game with the only 100 per cent record standing in the Premier League, and they had the first shot on target. Mo Salah found space on the edge of the box, but he hit a weak effort straight at Chelsea keeper Kepa. The game was played at a furious pace, and Salah soon had another chance which he sliced wide.
Liverpool were having more sights of the goal, but the usually-lethal strike force was struggling to find its range: this time, Sadio Mane shot wide after good work from Virgil Van Dijk. James Milner then picked out Roberto Firmino, but the Brazilian’s shot was charged down.
Chelsea really struggled to find their potency in attack after a 0-0 draw with West Ham last week, but they showed Liverpool how to do it. Willian almost broke the deadlock but was denied by Alisson, but the Reds’ keeper could do nothing moments later to preserve his clean sheet. It was a lovely move from the Blues, moving the ball around swiftly. And when Jorginho found Hazard, the top scorer beat Alisson with a clinical finish.
Salah very nearly equalised just before the break, but his shot from an angle was cleared off the line by Antonio Rudiger after rounding Kepa. But Chelsea, with Jorginho and N’Golo Kante controlling the midfield, looked more and more comfortable as the half wore on.
Jurgen Klopp had work to do at halftime, and it seemed like his team was determined to respond, dominating the early exchanges of the second half. Kepa made an outstanding save at his near post to deny Mane, and then Salah had an effort deflected wide.
Then Hazard had a massive chance to double Chelsea’s lead. Kante put him clean through for a one-on-one with the keeper, but Alisson managed to keep him out and deflect the ball over.
Firmino almost levelled for Liverpool on 73 minutes, meeting a clever chip from James Milner, but his header was cleared off the line. The equaliser finally came on 89 minutes, and it was a beauty. Substitute Daniel Sturridge picked the ball up, some 30 yards out, and curled an unstoppable drive into the top corner to give Kepa no chance at all.
What a goal and what a match!
Key Statistics
Liverpool left it late but deserved a share of the spoils with 53 per cent possession and more shots on goal at 13 to ten. While this will feel like a great result, Liverpool need to find a way of beating their ‘big six’ rivals away from home, something they’ve only achieved once in their last nine attempts.
Eden Hazard is a marksman to be feared, though; his six league goals have come from just nine shots on target.
What’s next?
Neither Chelsea nor Liverpool will stay away from our SBOBET tips for long, and there are some mouth-watering games to look forward to over the next week.
Liverpool meet Champions and rivals Manchester City in the Premier League next Sunday, but before that, it’s back to the Champions League and another huge test when they take a trip to Naples. Carlo Ancelotti’s Napoli are the biggest threat to Juventus’ domination of Serie A, but Klopp hopes their opponents’ unsuccessful clash with the Bianconeri this weekend will have taken something out of them.
Meanwhile, Chelsea host Vidi in the Europa League and shouldn’t have much trouble there, before they head to Southampton for a Sunday Premier League test.
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