Eden Hazard continues return to form with stunner in Liverpool draw

Liverpool 1 Chelsea 1

The only conclusion to be drawn at Anfield was that Belgium are warming up nicely for the European Championships. Eden Hazard rolled back the months to put Chelsea on the brink of ending Liverpool’s 12-game unbeaten home run until compatriot and substitute Christian Benteke levelled in injury time.

For Jürgen Klopp, the 50th game of his Liverpool reign appeared destined for his ninth Premier League defeat until two substitutes combined to salvage a point at the end. Sheyi Ojo’s cross deceived Chelsea goalkeeper Asmir Begovic, who could only palm the ball up into the air and on for Benteke to head home from a yard out.

It was the only, but costly, blot on a fine away display from Guus Hiddink’s team and particularly Hazard, who showed flashes of the form that helped inspire Chelsea to the title last season and scored a superb individual goal, only his fourth of the Premier League season.

Klopp described the fixture as “one of the biggest in the world” but the inescapable truth about this encounter between former Premier League champions and challengers was ninth versus eight and, for Liverpool, what appeared a dress rehearsal for the Europa League final in a week’s time. The starting lineup and its initial intensity were both what Klopp might be looking for against Sevilla, although not the carelessness that crept into Liverpool’s play as the first half wore on.

Chelsea were stretched defensively not only by John Terry’s suspension and injury to Branislav Ivanovic, prompting Hiddink to play Mikel John Obi at centre half, but the home side’s sharpness and movement in the final third.

Baba Rahman blocked a goalbound shot from Philippe Coutinho after the Brazilian, Alberto Moreno and Daniel Sturridge combined well down the left. Adam Lallana forced Begovic into a low save from 20 yards and Sturridge sent Roberto Firmino clear only for a heavy touch to take the forward wide of goal before he clipped into the side-netting.

The visitors had been subdued and overrun. Only the away support made an early impression as they chanted for Terry to be handed a contract extension and held aloft a banner showing trophies won “With Terry as our captain – sign him up”. But once Chelsea, and Hazard in particular, injected more urgency into their performance and accuracy to their passing they wrestled control from Liverpool easily.

The Belgium international gave Hiddink’s team the lead with a quite exquisite goal. There was minimal threat to the home defence when Hazard collected possession deep in the Liverpool half and even after exchanging passes with Cesc Fabregas. But then he accelerated past four weak challenges with a deft touch and a drop of the shoulder and, from the edge of the penalty area, swept an outstanding finish into the far corner of Simon Mignolet’s goal. A reminder of the form and talent that brought Hazard the player of the year awards last season and has been sorely missed at Stamford Bridge for the majority of this campaign.

Hazard almost engineered a second for Chelsea shortly afterwards when he released Bertrand Traore behind the Liverpool defence and Mignolet hesitated as he raced from his line to collect. The goalkeeper’s indecision offered Traore a clear sight of the target but he curled wide of the top corner, collapsing to the ground in disgust.

Hazard continued to drive an impressive Chelsea display after the interval and to Anfield’s increased irritation as Liverpool gave the 25-year-old licence to do so. The gifted No 10 almost punished another chasm in the Liverpool midfield when he breezed through to the 18-yard line and forced Mignolet to save low to his right. Hazard’s compatriot also tipped over from Pedro as the visitors looked to punish a slapdash display by Klopp’s side.

Implored to attack, Liverpool went close to an equaliser when Lallana slipped in Sturridge behind the Chelsea defence but Begovic produced a fine save to prevent the striker scoring against his former club. Defeat beckoned until Klopp’s decision to go for broke with his substitutions paid dividends.

(Guardian service)