Hazard’s strike against Liverpool “reminiscent of Lionel Messi” – Peter Crouch

Eden Hazard‘s goal against Liverpool in Chelsea‘s 2-1 Carabao Cup victory at Anfield was “reminiscent of Lionel Messi” according to former Reds striker Peter Crouch.

The Belgian’s strike secured Chelsea’s progression into the next round but it was the manner of which it was taken that struck a chord with viewers.

Weaving in and out of the Liverpool defence, Hazard cut inside, went through the backline and fired the ball into the back of the net to pandemonium from the away support.

Former Reds forward Crouch believes that the goal was of the highest quality and that it reminded him of the talents of a certain star from Barcelona.

Writing in his column in the Daily Mail, Crouch said: “I knew as soon as I saw Hazard play for Chelsea in 2012 that he was special and now he is operating at the peak of his powers. He is absolutely one of the best in the world.

“That was the type of strike you would see from Cristiano Ronaldo. The dribble, which included two nutmegs, to tee the opportunity up was reminiscent of Lionel Messi. If he keeps operating at those levels, we will be able to compare him to those two masters.

“I don’t think he is as obsessed with scoring as those two but in terms of ability, he is not a poor relation. When you are on a pitch against him, he will do things that blow your mind; the quality of his close control and touch is just ridiculous.

Eden Hazard came off the bench to send Chelsea through to the Carabao Cup fourth round

“Hazard makes defenders think they have got a chance of taking the ball off him but, in a flash, he will move it away and that is why he ends up being fouled so much. I love the way he keeps getting up, he just wants to get on with the game.

“We are lucky to have a player of his calibre in the Premier League and I think this is going to be a big, big season for him. If he carries on as he has started, the PFA awards at the end of the season may turn into a landslide.”

Hazard vs Liverpool

Eden Hazard has scored seven goals in his career against Liverpool, his best tally against any one team

The two parties clashed at Anfield in the cup with the London side leaving victorious. However, it was Liverpool’s turn to visit England’s capital on Saturday when the two sides clashed once more, this time in the Premier League.

Jurgen Klopp’s side went into the match having won all six games played but Maurizio Sarri’s men were close behind them.

It was inevitable that Hazard would produce the magic once more, putting the home side ahead in the first half following a great finish past Reds goalkeeper Allison.

However, Chelsea failed to get successive wins against the Merseyside club after former Blues striker Daniel Sturridge came off the Liverpool bench and produced a moment of magic to earn the visitors a point.

Liverpool and Chelsea are currently two of the best performing teams in the Premier League but Eden Hazard is by far the most effective player of the campaign to date.

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