Liverpool vs. Chelsea: Score, Reaction from 2016 Premier League Game
Christian Benteke grabbed an injury-time equaliser to gift Liverpool a point after a 1-1 draw with Chelsea at Anfield on Wednesday. Benteke came off the bench to cancel out Eden Hazard's superb solo first-half strike.
It's a stalemate that proved the limitations of two teams who've endured disappointing campaigns in the Premier League. Both will finish outside the top six.
It means Chelsea will miss out on European football altogether next season, while Liverpool's most realistic route is to beat Sevilla in next week's UEFA Europa League final and avoid trying to qualify through league placing.
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Interim Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink left out a trio of big names, including goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and striker Diego Costa. The Dutchman explained his reasons, via the club's official site:
James Pearce of the Liverpool Echo confirmed both teams:
The notable change in Chelsea's lineup was the decision to move holding midfielder John Obi Mikel into central defence to cover the suspension of skipper John Terry.
It was a move that prompted the London Evening Standard's Simon Johnson to wonder about the feelings of overlooked natural defender Matt Miazga:
Mikel was called into early action when he felled Daniel Sturridge, but the latter struck his free-kick well over. The Nigerian was looking shaky as a makeshift defender, while the Blues needed left-back Baba Rahman to block a Philippe Coutinho shot.
Adam Lallana was the next to try his boot, drawing Courtois' deputy, Asmir Begovic, into a solid save. Chelsea were struggling with Liverpool's frenetic high press in the final third early on.
At the other end, the visitors were content to break rapidly via Cesc Fabregas releasing Pedro, Willian and Hazard.
The latter pulled Simon Mignolet into an early save after a solid shot on the turn. It was an ominous sign of things to come from the mercurial Belgian.
Hazard waited until the half-hour mark before embarking on what used to be a signature twisting run before sliding the ball home with aplomb.
As Johnson pointed out, it's been a while since Chelsea's No. 10 produced this kind of magic:
But Hazard is enjoying a late surge in form, as Squawka Football detailed:
The Belgian was in the mood at Anfield and almost repeated his goal 10 minutes into the second half. This time Mignolet parried the shot that came at the end of another dancing glide, just about snatching the rebound away from striker Bertrand Traore.
The only blot on the Chelsea copybook at this point came when Willian limped off to be replaced by fellow Brazilian Kenedy.
Even when Liverpool did offer a response, Begovic proved in fine form. The Bosnian stayed big when Lallana turned a smart through pass into the path of Sturridge, who saw his finish smothered.
Chelsea were soon back on the attack as Pedro stung Mignolet's palms with a fierce drive. Traore did the same moments later after more good work from Hazard.
Chelsea stayed threatening on the break, while Nemanja Matic expertly protected the reshuffled defence. The only notable late danger came from Liverpool substitute Sheyi Ojo, who got caught in two minds meeting a cross at the far post, opting to square instead of shoot.
One more lightning break and an astute pass from Hazard sent Pedro clean through, but Mignolet denied the Spanish forward. It soon proved to be a costly miss.
Begovic couldn't gather Ojo's whipped cross, and his gaffe landed on the head of Benteke for the equaliser.
Post-Match Reaction
Klopp was determined to paint the game as an invaluable learning experience for both his players and the club's fans, according to Ian Doyle of the Liverpool Echo:
"I said to my players after the game it was the most important game of the season because we could learn most from it.
...
But there was not enough faith in our own quality so we lost patience and when you lose patience in football it's always difficult.
Without patience, we lost formation. We had a lot of moments around the box when we shot when we should have passed.
"
Klopp felt the desire of the home crowd actually played against his team's best efforts: “I love this stadium and atmosphere but everybody lost patience tonight, the crowd too. It's quite difficult to say 'be patient' when everybody is shouting 'run'."
The full-time whistle signalled time for the traditional lap of honour for Liverpool's players in their final home game of the season. During proceedings, midfielder James Milner praised the character of his team-mates to the club's official TV channel (h/t official site):
Hiddink was naturally effusive in his praise for Hazard, despite seeing two points taken away late on, per Eurosport's Dan Levene:
The Chelsea boss felt the late error couldn't obscure what was otherwise an exceptional showing from his team:
Hazard's masterclass offered a reminder of what might have been for the deposed Premier League champions.
As for Liverpool, manager Jurgen Klopp will know how much he needs to do during this summer's transfer market to get the UEFA Europa League finalists ready for a stronger league challenge next season.
