Chelsea 1-1 Liverpool: Talking points
Liverpool rescued a point from an absorbing Premier League clash with Chelsea on Saturday thanks to an unforgettable Daniel Sturridge finish.
With one minute of normal time remaining, the Reds striker cancelled out Eden Hazard’s first-half opener with a curling hit from 25 yards that will be replayed hundreds of times in the coming days.
The goal secured a 1-1 draw for Jürgen Klopp’s side and extended their unbeaten run at the start of the new league campaign to seven matches.
Watch: Extended highlights from Stamford Bridge
Here are five talking points from another thriller…
Sturridge brings up 50 in style
There are special ways to score your 50th league goal for your club and then there is what Sturridge did in the 89th minute of this encounter at Stamford Bridge.
The No.15 had only entered the action moments before he snatched a point that looked to have eluded Liverpool by unleashing a swerving shot from left to right which was destined for the top corner from the moment it left his boot.
It was Sturridge’s second goal against his former club in the space of three days and his 17th as a substitute in the Premier League since February 2007. Only Olivier Giroud has more with 19.
The Englishman has already notched more goals for the Reds this season than he did last, with this sensational fourth of 2018-19 topping his three of last term.
Such was the quality of the effort, Chelsea assistant manager Gianfranco Zola – no stranger to wonder goals in his playing career – commended Sturridge at full-time.
Alisson keeps Chelsea at bay
Liverpool owe a debt of gratitude to Alisson Becker for still being in a position to level up the match when Klopp sent on his game-changers in the closing stages.
The Brazil international brilliantly denied Hazard a second for the home side shortly after the hour mark, rushing from his goalline to close down the Chelsea forward’s space and blocking the eventual attempt.
Though beaten by the Blues talisman in the first half, Alisson had also come out on top in a one-on-one situation with Willian moments beforehand.
And his saves paid dividends courtesy of Sturridge.
Valiant Virgil
Virgil van Dijk’s participation in the game at Stamford Bridge had been in doubt until a very late stage as the manager gave his No.4 every chance of proving his fitness after a rib injury.
His involvement was only confirmed when the teamsheets were submitted in west London, though you wouldn’t have known the centre-back had been carrying a problem based on his performance.
Van Dijk had the most touches of any Liverpool player (110), contested 10 duels and seven aerial duels, made eight clearances, two blocks and two interceptions.
Gini’s Liverpool century
Georginio Wijnaldum was named in Klopp’s starting XI for the seventh time in a row in the Premier League this season and reached a Liverpool landmark as a result.
The Dutchman has now represented the Reds 100 times in all competitions since signing from Newcastle United in the summer of 2016 – the second-most at the club during that period, behind only Roberto Firmino (104).
Neck and neck with City…
Liverpool’s winning streak in the Premier League might have been halted in the capital but they remain unbeaten in the division.
Klopp’s charges are now second to reigning champions Manchester City, though the sides are only separated by goal difference after six victories and one draw apiece so far.
Fitting, then, that their next league fixture sees the Reds host Pep Guardiola’s side at Anfield next Sunday. What a match to look forward to.