Sturridge leaves it late to produce the goods
Daniel Sturridge’s stunning strike ensured Liverpool avoided a second defeat to Chelsea in four days. Eden Hazard, the match-winner in Wednesday’s Carabao Cup clash at Anfield, had looked like inflicting the Reds’ first League loss in seven games. Missed opportunities from Mohamed Salah, his replacement Xherdan Shaqiri and Roberto Firmino had looked like being costly. But former Blues striker Sturridge had other ideas, curling a fine effort into the top corner two minutes after coming on as a substitute for James Milner. Although the Reds could not build on six wins in six games – their best start in 28 years – Jurgen Klopp will be content with extending their unbeaten run. Chelsea appeared vulnerable early on as twice David Luiz made minor mistakes, while his opposite number Virgil van Dijk was a commanding presence. Like the team, Hazard has had one season on form, the next season off since his summer 2013 arrival at Stamford Bridge. This season the Belgium playmaker is arguably in the form of his life. Joe Gomez was alert to snuff out the danger of Hazard early on and Liverpool had the better chances. Salah, whose brief stint at Chelsea came as Hazard’s understudy, turned away from Jorginho and Antonio Rudiger before slicing a shot high and wide. Sadio Mane fired wide and Firmino threatened. Luiz blocked his fellow Brazilian’s shot and appeared to reach out to grab him, but Chelsea conceded only a corner. A fine Trent Alexander-Arnold pass freed Salah down the Liverpool right. The Egypt forward cut inside Marcos Alonso and shot straight at Kepa Arrizabalaga. Alisson was beaten with a move Hazard started and finished. Hazard flicked Luiz’s pass to Mateo Kovacic, who exchanged passes with Jorginho at halfway. The Croatia midfielder then threaded a fine pass for Hazard to run on to and the Belgian finished clinically. Alisson got a hand to the shot, but could not prevent Hazard’s sixth League goal of the season. Salah was denied again after shrugging off Alonso and rounding Kepa when Rudiger cleared off the line. Chelsea resumed determined to add to their advantage, but Liverpool attempted to wrest the initiative, enjoying all of the possession. Mane darted by Cesar Azpilicueta and Kepa saved well low to his right. Chelsea were left to play with scraps, but almost had another when N’Golo Kante took a quick freekick, releasing Hazard. He had just Alisson to beat, but the goalkeeper stayed big, his save resulting in the ball ballooning on to the roof of the net. A subdued Salah was taken off for Shaqiri as Klopp sought some ingenuity. Chelsea fashioned another opening as Kovacic shot from the edge of the area, Alisson saving. Shaqiri next spurned a straightforward chance, side-footing wide from Andy Robertson’s cross, and Luiz cleared Firmino’s header off the line after a Milner cross. Liverpool levelled when Sturridge unleashed a vicious drive into the top corner, punishing a rare moment when Kante did not close down an opponent.