Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea, Capital One Cup: Initial reaction and community player ratings form

Well, this certainly turned into a "proper" cup tie.

Liverpool came out fast and strong from the half-time gates, and made their pressure pay on the hour mark thanks to a nice run and finish by Raheem Sterling.  Anfield was smelling a victory but it was Chelsea who finally seemed to wake up and started playing, though failed to take advantage of the few half-chances created.  The hosts finished strong, but Chelsea held on.

• The first half themes of poor touches and poor passing continued in the second half, and we added a few bad clearances to it as well, all of which played a huge role in us playing most of the game on the back foot.
• Dangerously static and passive by Matic, Mikel, and Cahill on the Sterling goal.  That will not do.  Fairly poor from all three all game, in fact, especially the midfielders who seemed to end up too flat too often.
• Courtois doesn't always have much to do, but he certainly earned his paycheck today.  Beaten by yet another perfect finish unfortunately.
• Chelsea didn't get Hazard involved enough, though Diego Costa was just a couple touches away from getting in behind Skrtel and Sakho multiple times.  In general, the Chelsea striker struck a very isolated figure.
• With the second leg coming at the Bridge, the 1-1 is decent enough, I suppose.  Away goals only count at the end of extra time in the League Cup however.