Liverpool v Chelsea player ratings
Eden Hazard scored a sublime individual winner as Chelsea came from behind to beat Liverpool in the third round of the Carabao Cup. Here’s how we rated each Blues player in the victory at Anfield.
Willy Caballero: 7
The Argentine made two decent first-half saves in quick succession from Naby Keita’s strike and Sadio Mane’s header. He also took up a good position to make an unknowing but vital second-half save from Mane after Ross Barkley’s defensive error in a faultless display.
Cesar Azpilicueta: 6
He was caught out of position as he pressed forward in the first half, but his pace got him out of trouble and he remained solid and effective in defence.
Gary Cahill: 7
An impressive return to the starting line-up for the captain, who was composed and calm in possession, making good angles and finding Cesc Fabregas at every available opportunity to enable Chelsea to play from the back. Had his work cut out after the interval as Liverpool seized control, but he stood firm.
Andreas Christensen: 5
Christensen looked a little edgy in the first half, making a couple of mistakes that could have proved costly and struggled more after the break with his confidence having been shaken. Got away with a woeful backpass that led to Daniel Sturridge missing an open goal and was culpable for Liverpool’s goal with a daft attempt to play the ball out from the back when under pressure.
Emerson: 7
Neat and tidy and he had some bright moments in the final third, but was sometimes over-enthusiastic with his forward running and subsequently left the left side of the defence exposed. He was one of the few Chelsea players to improve after the break and capped an increasingly promising performance with the equaliser.
Cesc Fabregas: 7
The star man in a fine first-half midfield performance by Chelsea, he sat deepest of the central trio and used all his quality and extensive passing range to dictate play. His long-range first-half ball to set up Alvaro Morata was vintage Fabregas but, like his team-mates, he was rattled by the home side’s increased tempo and started to get sloppy.
Matteo Kovacic: 7
Alongside Fabregas the Croatian was mightily impressive as Chelsea seized control in the first 30 minutes, creating space and making countless telling runs. But he barely saw the ball after the interval and was taken off after 64 minutes with Chelsea being over-run in midfield.
Ross Barkley: 7
The former Everton man had a decent evening, linking up play well and striding through on numerous occasions but was also guilty of giving the ball away too cheaply. Barkley stayed positive and kept demanding possession and his fine header led to the leveller.
Victor Moses: 7
Sparky and always involved, Moses had plenty of opportunities to run at Alberto Moreno and was a consistent threat on the right.
Willian: 7
He was busy and dangerous, winning back possession high up the pitch and making several surging runs, before being replaced by Eden Hazard.
Alvaro Morata: 5
Morata was unfortunate not to score from the exquisite Fabregas pass and also when played in by Willian. But should have scored from a delicious outside-of-the-foot pass by Willian after the break, heading wastefully over. The Spaniard has had his fair share of bad luck in front of goal but needs to show more conviction and urgency.
Eden Hazard: 9
A brilliant strike that even eclipsed his stunning Premier League goal at Anfield in May 2016. Hazard was slow to make an impact after coming on but it was worth the wait and he was head and shoulders above anyone on the pitch in the closing stages.
N’Golo Kante: 8
He brought much-needed zest and energy just when the Blues needed it most.
David Luiz: 7
The Brazilian made a significant contribution in his late cameo, settling those around him with his ability to bring the ball out of defence and coolness under pressure.
