London: The brilliance of Chelsea’s Eden Hazard ended Liverpool’s 100 percent winnings start to the season as Maurizio Sarri’s side enjoyed a 2-1 win at Anfield in the League Cup third round here Wednesday.
Liverpool have started with six wins in the Premier League and a victory in the Champions League but they were knocked out by a superb solo goal from Hazard in the 85th minute.
Former Chelsea striker Daniel Sturridge, who had earlier missed an open goal, put Liverpool in front on 58 minutes with an acrobatic volley after Willy Caballero parried out Naby Keita’s drive.
Emerson levelled for Chelsea in the 79th, slotting home after Simon Mignolet parried out a Ross Barkley header from a free kick whipped in by Hazard.
The goal was reviewed by VAR but ruled as fair although Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp felt it should have been disallowed for offside. Sturridge then struck the bar with a fine effort from distance but it was Chelsea who struck the decisive blow.
Belgian forward Hazard, a 56th-minute substitute, won the game with a devastating finish after a powerful run in from the flank, weaving past two Liverpool defenders behind before firing into the far corner.
“It’s a fantastic goal. Not only the beauty of it but for the time he scored it,” Chelsea assistant manager Gianfranco Zola said.
“Not only is he one of the best in the Premier League – if not the best – but he is one of the best in Europe and the world. In my opinion we haven’t seen the best of him yet. He’s remarkable,” he added.
The two teams face each other at Stamford Bridge Saturday in the Premier League.
