Liverpool 1, Chelsea 1: Hiddink anger at late present to Klopp’s Reds
Chelsea interim boss Guus Hiddink rued the last-gasp gift his side handed Liverpool which kept the Reds in the hunt for a top-six Premier League finish.
Striker Christian Benteke, marginalised for much of Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp’s reign, rescued a point for the hosts after seizing on goalkeeper Asmir Begovic’s error and cancelling out Eden Hazard’s solo opener.
A point kept Chelsea ninth in the table, while eighth-placed Liverpool are three points adrift of West Ham in sixth, which guarantees Europa League football next term, with one match of the season remaining.
“We played all game for the win and gave an unlucky present in the last minute,” said Hiddink. “We should have killed it off and I’m disappointed not to have the three points.”
Hiddink also heaped praise on Hazard, who has endured a frustratingly inconsistent campaign after the high of being crowned PFA Player of the Year last season.
“Hazard was terrific and has been growing in fitness for some weeks,” added Hiddink. “It’s good to see. He has to suffer a lot with injuries this year but I’m happy he’s back. The players showed they love to play football.”
Hazard opened the scoring shortly after the half hour mark as his slaloming run ended with the Belgium playmaker firing a low shot into the corner – his fourth goal in as many games. But Benteke salvaged a point deep into stoppage-time as Begovic flapped at a cross, allowing the substitute to powerfully head into an unguarded net.