This match proves why Eden Hazard is the most underrated player
Channel: Qatar 2022
Date: 2018-09-28

This match proves why eden hazard is the most underrated player of 21st century.
Eden Hazard produced a moment of brilliance to give Chelsea a dramatic victory at Anfield.

The London club had seemed to be crashing out of the competition with something of a whimper, as Daniel Sturridge scored his ninth goal in nine League Cup appearances for Liverpool.

Hazard had been sent on as a sub just moments before that goal, and watched in horror as the home side briefly took a grip on the tie.

But then he took the game into his own hands, first with a fine free kick delivery that saw Emerson level – though there was a hint of controversy as replays seemed to suggest Ross Barkley could have been marginally offside, though VAR did not intervene.

Hazard though, required no help for the winner five minutes from time, when he won the ball in midfield as he spun away from Jordan Henderson, and then danced past both Naby Keita and Alberto Moreno, to smash a stunning shot into the far corner.

It was a majestic goal that belied the low tempo affair that had punctuated much of the contest, and was a fitting winner, even if Liverpool will rue a painfully slow start, and too many missed chances when they did get going.

Klopp had patiently explained before this game that even though he would select Fabinho, it could still take six months for him to get used to Liverpool’s system.

The reaction from fans was largely incredulous given his price tag of £40m and status as the club’s fourth most expensive signing of all time, but within minutes of kick off, we could see exactly why the manager had urged caution.

It wasn’t that the Brazilian was awful, just that the Reds’ pressing game in based on knowledge of when and where exactly to apply pressure, and with Sturridge, Shaqiri and Keita all also pushed into service, there was no coherence about the team.

Chelsea must have wondered what was going on, because they’ve never had this space against this team for years. They know too, they won’t get it on Saturday, when those better versed in the art of the gegenpresse will return.

If there was a lack of focal point or cutting edge to both teams’ play in the first half, then it sharpened after the break, and it was Sturridge who provided it, though his first offering was a slightly embarrasing one.

He showed instinct to race onto a back pass from Andreas Christensen and rounded Caballaero who forced him wide, but then fell over as he shot right-footed off balance, and the ball squeezed wide of the post.

Sturridge though, has a fine record in this competiton for the Reds, and he was not to be denied. This time, his balance was sublime, as he piovted back to goal onto another save from the Chelsea keeper to turn into the net.

It was a fine goal that rose above what came before, and Liverpool should probably have put the game to bed, when Shaqiri had a fine chance.

Liverpool were made to pay though, and without Alisson or Virgil van Dijk, it was painfully predictable Chelsea’s qualiser, 11 minutes from time came from a set piece.

Sub Hazard delivered from the left, Ross Barkley rose to head goalwards, and even though Mignolet produced a fine save, Emerson was close at hand to turn in, with the home defence rooted.

Sturridge so nearly put his side ahead against his former club, when he hit the bar, but then Hazard lit up the Mersey night with that piece of brilliance, to put his team through.


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ZOLA HAILS HAZARD AS ONE OF THE WORLD'S BEST PLAYERS AFTER CHELSEA DUMP LIVERPOOL OUT THE EFL CUP
Liverpool: Mignolet, Clyne, Lovren, Matip, Moreno, Fabinho, Milner, Keita, Shaqiri, Mane, Sturridge.

Substitutes: Grabara, Firmino, Salah, Gomez, Henderson, Solanke, Jones.

Chelsea: Caballero, Azpilicueta, Christensen, Cahill, Emerson, Fabregas, Kovacic, Barkley, Moses, Willian, Morata

Substitutes: Bulka, David Luiz, Zappacosta, Kante, Jorginho, Hazard, Hudson-Odoi