Premier League 2019/20, Chelsea 1-2 Liverpool: 5 Hits and Flops

#2 Hit: Cesar Azpilicueta

Azpilicueta has been criticised for his defending this term, but silenced his critics against the league leaders

Chelsea captain Azpilicueta has been the subject of intense scrutiny and exaggerated criticism from demanding supporters to date this season, but reserved his best performance of 2019/20 for the league leaders here.

That was both defensively and in a creative-minded sense, as the 30-year-old continues to evolve his game. Clearly more suited to a centre-back role, he continues featuring at right-back with exciting teenager Reece James (ankle) stepping up his injury recovery means a lot of the team's workload is unfairly placed on the Spaniard's shoulders.

He worked tirelessly in defence and needed to, being called into action on a number of occasions from the early exchanges and responding well, rather than reacting after the fact, as has been the case with a handful of goals The Blues have conceded this season.

Unfortunately, he had what would have been his first goal since March correctly ruled out after VAR review. Minutes later, Liverpool raced into a two-goal cushion and the Stamford Bridge atmosphere was justifiably flat. However the refusal to let that impact a display where his attacking tendencies and more pertinently the quality of crossing has again been called into question recently, was key.

He created the assist for Kante's thunderous finish and delivered another typically commendable display, while unfortunate not to add another assist to his name after fizzing a great low ball towards Tammy Abraham's path, though the 21-year-old was thwarted by a timely Joel Matip intervention in a frantic second-half. Four key passes, seven of 11 duels won, two clearances and tackles to accompany an assist, it was an effective display by the Chelsea captain, who doesn't always get the respect his consistency deserves.

Every club has a scapegoat or few choice players to target whenever the team underperform, but Chelsea certainly should not be questioning Azpilicueta's suitability to perform at the highest level - instead applauding his willingness to continually silence those critics.