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Men's Football Sturridge comes back to haunt his former side after rescuing a point for Liverpool against Chelsea

THIS thrilling, high-octane affair between Chelsea and Liverpool showcased the title credentials of these old foes with a raucous Stamford Bridge left rocking yesterday evening on which these sides gave a wonderful display of attacking football.
 
Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool never gave up despite being moments away from defeat, in what would have been their second in a week to Chelsea following their League Cup loss, after a 25th-minute opener from Eden Hazard.
 
However, substitute Daniel Sturridge’s superb long-range goal in the 89th minute earned the visitors a well-deserved point.
 
It left both sides maintaining their unbeaten records. Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri felt, however, that his side are still off the pace set by leaders Manchester City and second-placed Liverpool.  
 
“To finish in the first two, as you know, for me it's very difficult,” said Sarri. “I think City and Liverpool are a step forward to us.”

Chelsea sit in third, two points behind the leading pair. Sarri added: "There are six or seven top teams here who are among the best in Europe, not just in England. It's not easy to get into the Champions League.

"We have to try to stay very close in the table with the top-level teams. And we have to try to improve more.”

There were many positives for Chelsea supporters, including how Liverpool’s attacking trio of Mohammed Salah, Roberto Firminho and Sadio Mane were kept at bay by Sarri’s back line.

A rejuvenated David Luiz, so often wayward and unpredictable, was immense at the heart of Chelsea’s defence as they repelled the forays of their opponents. As the match wore on, Liverpool’s players tired and looked out of ideas.

Salah looked off the pace and was withdrawn in the second half in favour of Xherdan Shaqiri. By then Liverpool’s cutting edge looked to have long since faded. 

However, with the match drifting to defeat for the side from Merseyside, the visitors were not finished.

Sturridge was brought on with four minutes of the match remaining. The former Chelsea player, who has rarely figured in Klopp’s plans, had the final say after slamming a shot beyond Chelsea’s goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga from outside the penalty area.

A defeat would have been unfair on Jurgen Klopp’s men and, to their credit, Liverpool kept attacking to the end. The German was left pleased especially given the defeat four days earlier.

“Chelsea is a super team and it is quite difficult to play them, but I thought we did it in a really impressive way, to be honest,” said Klopp.
 
“I want us to respond, react, perform. But I saw a really good performance from my side in a difficult game after we’d lost on Wednesday against them.”

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