The Liverpool vs Chelsea can be summed in four words – ‘the best team lost’. Actually, Liverpool’s team had 13 men on the pitch if you count the referee. Referee Kevin Friend’s appalling display was a huge factor in the two dropped points, which could cost Chelsea a Champions League place next season.
The referee should have sent off ‘cannibal’ Suarez after the Uruguay striker clearly bit into Branislav Ivanovic. Yet, he stayed on and he scored a 97th min equaliser when there was only 96 min of added time. Only Friend will know the reason behind adding more time beyond the allocated limit.
Chelsea were the dominant team in the first half, as Liverpool struggled to put together a string of passes. Rafa Benitez’ men might have taken the lead through a corner, but it was a lead well deserved. Oscar, who has been looking tired in recent weeks, scored from a near post header.
The introduction of former Chelsea striker Daniel Sturridge changed the game for Liverpool, as it took them just 7 min into the second half to equalise. Chelsea, though, were quickly level after the first foul play from ‘miscreant of the match’, Suarez. His handball gave Chelsea a penalty, which was converted by Eden Hazard.
The most controversial moment of the match came when Suarez clearly bit into Ivanovic. The Uruguay striker already served a lengthy ban in Dutch football for biting into an opponent. Clearly, he has not learnt from the punishment. He should have been sentoff with a straight red, yet he stayed on the pitch.
He had the final say by scoring in the 97th minute of injury time to hand a major blow. Tottenham and Arsenal winning their matches has put Chelsea in a disadvantageous position going into the final five matches of the season.
However, interim manager Benitez will be pleased with the performance of his players. After all, Liverpool needed cheating and the help from a referee to draw the match.
Team line-ups:
Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Reina, Johnson, Jose Enrique, Agger, Carragher, Gerrard, Phillippe Coutinho (Sturridge – 46′), Henderson, Downing (Shelvey – 80′), Lucas, Suarez
Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Cech, Azpilicueta, David Luiz, Ivanovic, Bertrand, Ramires, Mikel, Mata (Lampard – 90′), Oscar (Moses – 83′), Hazard (Benayoun – 78′), Torres
Scorers:
Sturridge 52′, Suarez 90+6′
Oscar 26′, Hazard 57′
