London, Sept 30: A stunning late strike from Daniel Sturridge rescued a point for Liverpool in the 1-1 draw against Chelsea at the Stamford Bridge here, Saturday.
Sturridge’s late intervention, which preserves his team’s unbeaten start to the season, came moments after Juergen Klopp brought him on, perhaps in the hope he might replicate the goal he managed against the same opponents in the EFL Cup at Anfield, Wednesday.
Amazingly, Sturridge did exactly that, unleashing a 25-metre shot that found the top corner of the Chelsea net just when it looked like Liverpool, who had won all six of their previous league games this season, had run out of ideas.
It is the first time that Chelsea, for whom Eden Hazard scored with a low drive in the 25th minute, have not won after going ahead this season.
The result sets up nicely next weekend’s Anfield clash with City, whom they trail on goal difference. Liverpool and City are now nine points ahead of Manchester United, who are being quoted at an unlikely 150/1 to win the title this season.
Sturridge, summoned from the bench to replace James Milner in the 86th minute, delivered. Collecting a pass from Xherdan Shaqiri, he turned to find options limited in front of him.
No bother, he simply drew back that gifted left foot and unfurled the most explosive of shots. Whipped but with power, it flew past Kepa Arrizabalaga, the world’s most expensive goalkeeper, and into the top left-hand corner of his net for his 50th league goal for Liverpool, and his fourth of this campaign.