Late Benteke strike salvages draw for Liverpool against Chelsea

Christian Benteke emerged from the bench to secure Liverpool a 1-1 draw against Chelsea at Anfield.

Chelsea had nothing left to play for, and in John Terry's absence, filled the squad with youngsters. Liverpool, however, needed a win if they wanted to catch arch rivals Manchester United.

Liverpool dominated early proceedings, but it was Chelsea who broke the deadlock when a resurgent Eden Hazard skipped past half the opposition to clip a low shot into the far corner.

In the second half, Liverpool upped the pressure but Chelsea were resilient, sitting deep and staying organised. It seemed as if a Chelsea victory was certain until Asmir Begovic's awful flap at a cross gave Benteke an open goal.

Liverpool will now focus on their Europa League final as Chelsea's poor season comes to a close.

Hazard played so poorly for Chelsea in the first half of the season that he later apologised to Jose Mourinho. However, under Guus Hiddink he has gradually improved and now seems to be back to his best, peaking for the Euro 2016 tournament. Should Chelsea be optimistic that he is now back and committed to the club, or more likely worry that he is at the top of his game out of self-interest, to use the international break to earn a move to Real Madrid?

Eden Hazard (Chelsea): The Hazard of old. Running from deep to provoke yellow cards and fouls, and to earn free kicks. Cutting in from the left to pose a threat in the middle of the pitch, scoring a fine goal with this method. His passes, too, prompted his team-mates into attacking runs that they could not make the most of. Hazard was excellent against Liverpool, it's just a shame it took him so long.

Liverpool: Mignolet 6, Clyne 6, Toure 6, Lovren 6, Moreno 6, Can 6, Milner 6, Lallana 6, Coutinho 6, Firmino 6, Sturridge 6. Subs: Allen 6, Ojo 6, Benteke 7.

Chelsea: Begovic 5, Azpilicueta 6, Mikel 6, Cahill 6, Baba 6, Fabregas 6, Matic 5, Pedro 5, Willian 6, Hazard 8, Traore 6. Subs: Kenedy 6, Loftus-Cheek 6, Abraham 6.

7' - LALLANA SHOT - Can's effort squirts out to the left, and Begovic rushes to tip it away for a corner on the left. It's taken short, worked to Lallana for a shot from 25 yards, and Begovic pushes it away. Coutinho follows up, but curls a shot straight at the 'keeper.

32' - GOAL! Liverpool 0-1 Chelsea. Hazard scores - Hazard runs and runs away from goal on the left, comes back towards the area, beats two players, stands up Lovren and then clips a low shot into the corner.

35' - COUTINHO SHOT - Coutinho looks up and sees he has a way to goal from outside the box. He launches a curling effort at goal, but Begovic has plenty of time to push it away.

56' - MIGNOLET SAVE - Hazard goes past three players, shoots, and his low effort is clasped by Mignolet as Traore closes in.

61' - BEGOVIC SAVES - Sturridge is set free with a through ball from Lallana but his shot is beaten away by a good save from Begovic. Toure then limply heads at goal from close range from the corner, a real waste.

GOAL! Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea. Benteke scores - Ojo curls in a cross, Begovic incompetently pats it away, straight to Benteke, who nods in for an easy goal.

Six of Christian Benteke’s nine Premier League goals for Liverpool have been as a substitute – more than any other player has managed this season in the league.

The Belgian has been involved in four goals in his last five league games (3 goals, 1 assist).

Eden Hazard has scored four goals in his last four Premier League games – after a run of 29 without finding the net in the competition.

Jurgen Klopp’s side have scored in their last 13 Premier League fixtures.

Indeed, the Reds are now unbeaten in eight Premier League games at Anfield (W4 D4).

The Blues have kept just one clean sheet in their last 12 Premier League meetings with Liverpool.

Chelsea have scored in their last 10 league games against Liverpool.

Benteke’s late goal means Chelsea are winless in three Premier League games for the first time in either of Guus Hiddink’s reigns.

10 of Hiddink’s 20 Premier League games in this spell have ended level, after just one of his 13 games in his first spell was drawn.