Liverpool and Chelsea played out a 1-1 draw at Anfield on Wednesday night in their penultimate match of the Premier League campaign. Eden Hazard gave Chelsea the lead with a sensational goal before a stoppage time goal from Christian Benteke saw the teams share a point ahead of the final weekend.
Squads
Liverpool: Mignolet, Clyne, Toure, Lovren, Moreno, Can, Milner, Lallana, Coutinho, Firmino, Sturridge
Chelsea: Begovic, Azpilicueta, Mikel, Cahill, Baba Rahman, Fabregas, Matic, Pedro, Willian, Hazard, Traore
Guus Hiddink made as many as four changes to the side that lost 3-2 to Sunderland over the weekend. With John Terry suspended after receiving a red card, John Obi Mikel played alongside Gary Cahill in defence while Asmir Begovic played in goal instead of birthday boy Thibaut Courtois who fell ill at the hotel. Meanwhile, Bertrand Traore started up front with Diego Costa dropped from the side.
Jurgen Klopp did field a strong side in the Reds’ final game at Anfield even though there was a Europa League final, and a possible place in the Champions League, in a week’s time. All three of Philippe Coutinho, Roberto Firmino and Daniel Sturridge started up front while Emre Can, James Milner and Adam Lallana also kept their place in the starting lineup.
Eden Hazard puts Chelsea in front with unbelievable solo goal
Liverpool had the first real chance of the game when the Blues were carved open on the left flank. Alberto Moreno managed to cut the ball back but Coutinho was denied by a superb block.
The Reds did, however, test Begovic multiple times from range. Though the Bosnian goalkeeper managed to punch clear the danger or caught shots hit straight at him, Liverpool were also guilty of shooting off target as they tried to break down a resolute Chelsea defence.
On the other hand, Hiddink’s side did look dangerous when they had the opportunity to counter-attack. Willian was a livewire with the ball on the break while the energetic Traore made some runs that saw the defenders looking over their shoulders time and again but the final pass was never good enough for the Blues.
It was an end-to-end game in the first half with both sides guilty of spurning chances to go ahead. Liverpool were let down by their shooting and decision-making while Chelsea were unable to have enough numbers pouring forward in attack.
Ultimately, it was Eden Hazard who took matters into his own hands to score a blistering solo goal. After receiving the ball more than 30 yards away from goal, the Belgian danced into the box after beating the likes of Lallana, Firmino and Milner before taking a shot in front of a stationary Lovren to beat Mignolet at the far post.
The 25-year-old seems to have rediscovered his scoring touch with his fourth league goal in as many games – the only goals he has scored in the Premier League all season.
Traore had a chance to double the lead when Mignolet made a bad decision to come out to get the ball before backtracking when he realized there was no way he could reach it. Traore took his shot but it was off target, allowing Mignolet to heave a sigh of relief.
Liverpool find a late equaliser
Liverpool continued to dominate possession for most parts of the game but were simply unable to find a way past Begovic. One scintillating move from Klopp's forwards saw Lallana release Sturridge on the right before Begovic charged down the English striker’s shot on goal to concede a corner.
Another great chance went abegging when Moreno managed to find Lallana with a superb cross to the far post. The 28-year-old midfielder tried to volley from barely two yards out but again saw his shot cleared.
With 15 minutes to go, Hiddink took off Traore for 18-year-old youngster Tammy Abraham for his senior team debut. In the other dugout, Klopp made a double substitution as he brought on Joe Allen and Christian Benteke for James Milner and Lallana.
Chelsea almost got a second late in the game when Pedro was released by Hazard with a jaw-dropping diagonal pass. The counter-attack saw Pedro through on goal with only Mignolet to beat. But his shot looking for the far bottom corner was thwarted by the Belgian goalkeeper who did well to make the save.
The missed opportunity came back to haunt them as Liverpool eventually got their goal moments later in stoppage time through substitute Christian Benteke. The Reds’ third substitute Sheyi Ojo put in a poor cross but it saw Begovic struggling to get a hold of it. The ball kindly fell to Benteke who only had to head the ball into an empty net to make the final scoreline read 1-1.
Sunderland win sees Newcastle United and Norwich City relegated
After spending the entire season in 17th place or below in the EPL table, Sunderland managed to survive relegation and stay in the Premier League with a 3-0 win over Everton. A goal from Patrick van Aanholt and a brace from Lamine Kone saw Sam Allardyce’s Black Cats move four points clear of the relegation zone with a game to spare.
The result sees Norwich City, who beat Watford 4-2 on Wednesday, and Newcastle United on 34 points each. Aston Villa were relegated earlier this season.
