Chelsea interim manager Guus Hiddink described yesterday’s 1-1 draw against Liverpool as the “perfect game” in front of the media, despite the hosts tied the match on the injury time to steal two points from the Blues.
Regardless of the lack of importance of the fixture, the vital battle between the two big clubs was markedly felt at Anfield as there was a treat of a goal for both sides to celebrate.
Hiddink was pleased how Chelsea turned up against Jurgen Klopp’s side, but admits it was a bit of a disappointment to see the substitute Christian Benteke head in the late equalizer to lift the home fans up from their seats.
Generally, I can be very satisfied with the performance of the team, although it was a nice present for them in the last minute.
It was of course a big disappointment in the last minute, but I can say Chelsea played a perfect game. We were defensively well-organised. Offensively we had the intention to score which we did through the beautiful goal of Eden Hazard.
After that, we had the intention to go for the second but we didn’t kill the game off in the second half.
As the Chelsea side had already taunted their position in the league table with no chance to finish higher than 9th, the 18-year-old Academy graduate Tammy Abraham’s senior debut for the club was a big moment in the match.
Hiddink was unfortunate to admit that the young forward hasn’t had many opportunities to train with the senior team this season following his other commitments on the U18 and U21 level, but he did say to be very happy with the type of a player Abraham is.
I like the guy’s attitude very much.
He has been with us for a couple of weeks and you can see his potential. Of course he must grow with his little touches but that’s normal for an 18-year-old boy. He plays already physically like a man, and it’s nice to see those players coming from the academy.
Bertrand Traore started the match following Diego Costa’s hamstring injury, while Kenedy and Ruben Loftus-Cheek came from the bench to claim themselves another senior appearance for the senior side.
Youngsters Dominic Solanke and Izzy Brown are preparing to get back to the West London outfit from their loan spell at Eredivisie, while Borussia Monchengladbach loanee Andreas Christensen is set to spend another year with the Bundesliga side.
