A late equaliser from Willian rescued a point for Chelsea at Anfield after Mohamed Salah opened the scoring for Liverpool.
The hosts looked set for three points after the Egyptian buried his 10th Premier League of the campaign but were pegged back in the 85th minute.
Here’s what we learned from the encounter.
HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS AHEAD
It didn’t quite happen for him at Anfield but the signs are ominous, Eden Hazard is reaching peak form and defenders everywhere should be concerned. Despite Salah’s excellent display and goal, the Belgian was the best player on the pitch and did eventually manage an assist off Willian’s goal.
With Antonio Conte opting for legs in midfield, Danny Drinkwater replaced Cesc Fabregas in the starting line-up to operate alongside Tiemoue Bakayoko and N’golo Kante. As a result, the bulk of the creative responsibility was laid at Hazard’s feet and he certainly did his fair share.
The Chelsea star made five key passes, more than any other player in the game and completed a remarkable nine dribbles, the most by any player in a single Premier League match this season.
He was the one who constantly looked like making something happen and had Liverpool scrambling every time he received the ball. Chelsea had to settle for a draw on Saturday but with a run of good fixtures to come, Hazard is set to run riot.
Hazard signalling to his teammates for help. Then he decides to do it all on his own pic.twitter.com/7STTLppveC
— R¹⁰ (@futboImessii_) November 25, 2017
CHRISTENSEN SETS THE BAR FOR ACADEMY HOPEFULS
Conte has put faith in Andreas Christensen, preferring him to the more seasoned David Luiz or new signing Antonio Rudiger. It’s paid off for the Italian with the young Dane impressing of late, slotting into Chelsea’s three-man central defence with ease.
Against Liverpool, Christensen had his hands full with the likes of Salah, Daniel Sturridge and Philippe Coutinho to deal with but passed the test, largely managing the threat posed by the trio where possible.
The 21-year-old’s successful run in the team is also a sign of hope for Chelsea academy stars vying to establish themselves in the first team. With John Terry being the last academy product to do so though, there prospects would have seemed bleak but Christensen’s emergence proves not only that it is possible but that the club’s loan policy can work.
WILLIAN OUT WITH A POINT TO PROVE
Of late, Conte has preferred a 3-5-1-1 system with Hazard operating in behind Alvaro Morata and Fabregas linking up with the duo when possible. Willian and Pedro have been subjected to the bench as a result, even with Drinkwater replacing Fabregas for the clash with Liverpool.
However, Willian seems determined to win his place back. The Brazilian scored a brace in midweek against Qarabag in the Champions League and was by far the best player.
With Liverpool looking to see out a 1-0 win at Anfield on Saturday, he came off the bench to score a crucial equaliser even if the manner of it was suspect as he seemed to try to hang a ball up at the far post for Morata to attack but miscued it and ended up chipping Simon Mignolet from outside the box instead.
Nevertheless, Willian continues to remain a threat and will give Conte a selection headache. With the busy December fixtures to come though, the Italian tactician may welcome such a problem as he looks to rotate his squad.
Willian (C)
