There was no muted celebration
Matches between Liverpool and Chelsea are normally full of action, played at a high intensity, and provide plenty of entertainment. When they compete outside the league cup, that is.
Tonight's affair was played at a leisurely pace, much different to what was expect to see when the two sides meet again at the weekend.
For most of the first hour, there was not a lot to enjoy. Both teams had put out reserve sides, although admittedly Liverpool's B team is now stronger than their first team from three years ago.
Daniel Sturridge almost broke the deadlock when he latched onto a loose pass from Andreas Christensen and rounded Willy Caballero, only to put the chance wide. Nobody could quite believe he had missed, but he had.
https://twitter.com/SkyFootball/status/1045038290511048704
Then in the 58th minute, Sturridge redeemed himself when he was gifted the opportunity to put away a relatively easy chance, although it still needed finishing. And he finished it in style, with a spectacular overhead kick.
https://twitter.com/SkyFootball/status/1045041693408591877
He almost doubled his tally late on with a shot from outside the box that clipped the bar, but couldn't quite keep the shot down.
Liverpool went on to lose the game 2-1, as Emerson Palmieri and Eden Hazard scored the all important goals to knock Liverpool out of the EFL Cup. But Sturridge's return to form should be welcomed by all, especially after the tough times he has gone through with persistent injuries.
