Carabao Cup Report: Liverpool v Chelsea 26 September 2018

Returning goalkeeper Simon Mignolet denied Alvaro Morata in quick succession after the Spaniard aimed to get on the front foot for the visitors.   With Chelsea struggling to get on the front foot despite the obvious quality in their attack, the Reds made all the work, eager to continue their fine form on all fronts.   Seeing that this is the first match of two between the sides with Saturday's league meeting awaiting them, the Merseysiders were not about to slip up and were in control on every area of the pitch.   The first half finished goalless, but the second period kicked off in exhilarating fashion with the hosts still on the ascendancy.   There was a big chance at the feet of Daniel Sturridge after a loose ball fell on his path, but he missed after rounding the goalkeeper Willy Caballero a minute after the break.   Another good chance fell to Liverpool on 53 minutes when Sadio Mane charged on Ross Barkley's misplaced pass to force Caballero to a save.   Chelsea made its first substitution three minutes later as  Eden Hazard came on for Willian.   That didn't stop Jurgen Klopp's side from going ahead after Sturridge made amends for his earlier miss to pounce on a rebound with an acrobatic finish.   The goal set the home side back a little bit and were content to keep a hold of their lead and protect it fully.   Travesty struck though, as Emerson Palmieri capitalised on poor defending to hand the Blues the all-important equaliser just before full-time.   As last season's Champions League finalists tried to regroup, Maurizio Sarri's men struck again thanks to an outstanding individual strike from Hazard who finished in the top corner to seal the win.