Christian Benteke’s last gasp header saw Liverpool’s encounter with Chelsea end in a 1-1 stalemate early this morning.
Jurgen Klopp’s side opened up with more intent and let a number of chances to take an early lead go astray, with Asmir Begovic under constant pressure from the likes of Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino in the first 20 minutes. Once the Blues had calmed their nerves though, it only took one moment of brilliance from the much-maligned Eden Hazard to put the visitors ahead, receiving the ball in the final-third and dancing his way past numerous defenders before sliding the ball past Simon Mignolet on the half-hour mark.
Dominating the midfield battle, Liverpool continued to press forward in the second-half but were agonisingly stopped in their tracks by the travelling defence, or an impressive Begovic. It was not until Sheyi Ojo’s forced a vicious cross into the box in the dying minutes that the hosts would find their deserved equaliser, with the Chelsea goalkeeper only able to parry the ball onto Benteke’s head for a simple finish.
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Still worth fighting at this late stage
Normally one of the season’s highlight fixtures, this meeting of red and blue was missing a little of the regular intensity with the teams sitting in eighth and ninth spot on the table respectively. While the point gained did not do a lot to help either side, there was more on the line for two club’s getting ready for offseason revitalisation.
The time for Chelsea players to prove their necessity before Antonio Conte has a chance to clear house is running out. This need to impress is perhaps reflected best in the recent performances of Hazard, who has put four goals through in the last four outings after a near-season long dry spell, including the wonderful solo run and strike which put the visitors ahead today.
On the other hand, Klopp and his Liverpool charges should welcome as much top quality competition as possible before the Europa League final next week. The meeting in Basel with Sevilla is not only a chance for the new manager to truly announce himself on the English stage, but success would also grant them Champions League qualification, and in turn some greater bargaining power in the winter transfer window.
Continued pressure breaks Chelsea down
It appeared as though it was going to end as a frustrating day for Liverpool and one that was so typically inflicted upon Chelsea’s opponents in 2014-15, where waves of attacks would be denied by what was then an impervious back four. With the duo of Coutinho and Firmino looking particularly dangerous when on the ball in the final-third, the Reds had 27 other shots on goal go begging before Benteke nodded home the equaliser.
Pushed back behind the ball for the majority of the contest, the fact that the Blues came so close to taking all the rewards was due in no little part to Begovic producing 12 saves between the posts, and their back four who recorded a combined 13 interceptions and 14 blocks, even without leaders John Terry and Branislav Ivanovic .
Klopp building good record against Chelsea
With the form against the competition’s biggest sides being something that has cost Liverpool dearly in recent years, fans can look at 2015-16’s record against the London giants as a positive sign going forward under their new German figurehead. Combined with a 3-1 triumph at Stamford Bridge over the Jose Mourinho lead side back in October, this 1-1 draw means the Merseysiders have gone undefeated against Chelsea in the Premier League for the first time since 2012-2013.
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