Courtois saved Chelsea at "Anfield"

Liverpool and Chelsea ended with a draw of 1:1 at "Anfield" in the first semi-final clash of "Capital One Cup". Goal for the guests scored Eden Hazard from the penalty spot in the 18th minute and Raheem Sterling equalized after independent action in the 59th. The meeting was equivalent to the break, but in the second half the hosts were the better team and only the magnificent goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois kept the tie, which gives priority to Londoners during the second leg at the "Stamford Bridge". Liverpool has no defeat in nine consecutive games in all competitions and broke the negative trend in the matches against Chelsea. Brendan Rogers still does not win over "Blues" from London since he led the team of Liverpool.

The captain of Liverpool, Steven Gerrard returned to the starting composition of the "Reds" after missing the win over Aston Villa, because of injury. Raheem Sterling was up front, while Fabio Borini remained on the bench for the start. Mario Balotelli was outside of the group again. Chelsea`s manager Jose Mourinho made two changes in his starting line-up. Thibaut Courtois returned to the door at the expense of Petr Cech and John Obi Mikel began in Oscars place. In previous positions acted Diego Costa and behind him were Willian, Cesc Fabregas and Eden Hazard.

The beginning of the match was cautiously and none of the rivals proceed to attack. Chelsea was a little more organized team and managed to take advantage of the first major error in the defence of Liverpool. In the 17th minute, Hazard was into the penalty box and after a contact with Emre Can, fell to the grass. Martin Atkinson immediately pointed the white point and Hazard technically realized this penalty - 0:1. Just before this goal, Liverpool also had a chance to take the lead, but Courtois cellars the outstretched foot of Gerrard. In the 27th minute, Martin Skrtel proved dash after the ball, but failed to direct the ball towards the door. At the end, Diego Costa touched the ball with his hand in the penalty area of Chelsea, but Atkinson not called a penalty.

The second part was much more interesting and it was due to the change in the behaviour of the players of Liverpool. "Reds" become significantly more aggressive and easily leap to firing positions. In the 54th minute, Stirling could not make a good shot, but the pressure of Liverpool grew more violent. In the 59th minute, when again Stirling progressed through the middle and with precise diagonal shot lifted the home crowd on its feet.

After the goal, Liverpool played with redoubled energy and captain Gerrard could have scored a second goal after a pass from Coutinho, but the ball "licked" the bar and came out. In the 75th minute, Jordan Henderson tried to surprise the Belgian guard with a shot from a far distance, but he was careful. In those minutes, Chelsea were exhausted and only the heroic performances of Courtois preserved the tie. Former guard of Atletico Madrid showed his class after a shot of Adam Lallana. A little bit more later, Stirling did not take the stupid mistake of Diego Costa and from shooting over the bar, omitting the last pure situations in the game.

Liverpool - Chelsea 1:1 (0:1)
0:1 Hazard (18) penalty, 1:1 Sterling (59)

Liverpool: Simon Mignolet, Emre Can, Martin Skrtel, Mamadou Sakho, Lucas Leiva, Jordan Henderson, Steven Gerrard (70 - Adam Lallana), Alberto Moreno, Lazar Markovic, Philippe Coutinho, Raheem Sterling;

Chelsea: Thibaut Courtois, Branislav Ivanovic, Gary Cahill, John Terry, Filipe Luis, Nemanja Matic, John Obi Mikel, Willian (88 - Cesar Azpilicueta), Cesc Fabregas, Eden Hazard, Diego Costa;

Yellow cards: L. Leiva, S. Gerrard (L ); F. Luis, J. Obi Mikel (C)