LIVERPOOL IN THE RED
Hazard strike dumps English league leaders out of Cup
Liverpool, Sept. 27: Chelsea assistant manager Gianfranco Zola hailed Eden Hazard as one of the world’s best after the Belgian’s spectacular winner sent the Blues into the Last 16 of the League Cup at Liverpool’s expense with a 2- 1 victory at Anfield.
Both sides made eight changes with one eye on the top of the table Premier League clash between the same two sides on Saturday.
But Maurizio Sarri’s gamble on throwing on Hazard 10 minutes into the second half paid off as Emerson Palmieri levelled from his free- kick 11 minutes from time before the Belgian’s wonderful solo effort won the tie.
“Not only is he one of the best in the Premier League — if not the best — but he is one of the best in Europe and the world,” said Zola, himself a Chelsea legend as a player.
Liverpool took longer to adjust to the wholesale changes with Fabinho making his full debut in midfield, while Dejan Lovren made his first appearance of the season in central defence after playing a full part as Croatia reached the World Cup final.
Sarri introduced Hazard with 35 minutes remaining, but moments later his side were behind as Sturridge made amends in spectacular fashion with an overhead kick after Caballero parried Naby Keita’s drive.
Hazard took his time to make an impact, but also had a hand in the equaliser as his free- kick was headed goalwards by Ross Barkley and, after Mignolet made a smart save, Emerson poked the rebound into the goal.
Sturridge came close to putting Liverpool back in front as he hit the bar.
But instead it was Hazard who showed his class to strike the winner as he danced past five Liverpool challenges before crashing a rising shot into the far corner for his sixth goal of the season.