Chelsea 1-1 Liverpool: 3 things we learned

A late goal from Daniel Sturridge saw Chelsea and Liverpool share the spoils. Here are three things we learned from the match.

Meeting for the second time in the space of week, Chelsea and Liverpool went head-to-head on Saturday looking to claim an early advantage in the Premier League. Chelsea, who were victorious in a midweek League Cup encounter between the sides, took the lead through Eden Hazard before a late wonder goal from Daniel Sturridge earned Liverpool a share of the spoils. Here are three things we learned from the end-to-end affair.

Eden Hazard has finally reached his zenith

Since joining Chelsea in 2012, Eden Hazard has teetered on the boundary line between very good and great. Having impressed for a number of seasons, the Belgian international has raised his game even further this season and now looks set to take his place among those considered to be in the latter bracket.

Hazard’s well taken goal against Liverpool, a league-high sixth for the campaign, very nearly earned Chelsea all three points and was the highlight of another excellent performance. The 27-year-old has scored seven goals in his last six appearances across all competitions, including the winner of Liverpool on Wednesday, and looks to have finally reached his zenith.

Daniel Sturridge still has a big role to play at Liverpool

Daniel Sturridge’s well-documented injury concerns over the last few seasons have left his Liverpool career in a permanent state of uncertainty. The former Chelsea forward’s stay at Anfield looked to be over last season after a failed short-term loan spell at West Brom which saw him spend more time on the sidelines than on the pitch.

The England international has bounced back in emphatic style, however, and looks to be in the best he’s been in in years. He is still being used predominantly as rotation option or super-sub though, in spite of which he has already scored four goals this season – including the incredible long-range equalizer against Chelsea. Sturridge’s form hints that he could be an important player for Liverpool this season as the club goes in search of its first title since 2012.

Salah is off form, but only by his own standards

Despite boasting a decent enough return of three goals in seven league appearances, Mohamed Salah clearly isn’t on top of his game. The Egyptian international is the incumbent Premier League Golden Boot holder but is yet to hit top gear this season. His once-clinical form in front of goal evaded him once again against Chelsea as he spurned a number of opportunities with poor finishing and poorer decision-making.

While Salah’s form in front of goal has been cause for concern for some fans, his overall performance showed shades of the player who took the league by storm last season. He is currently a victim of his own success, but it’s only a matter of time before he returns to match his own lofty standards.