New LA Galaxy addition Steven Gerrard made his return to the starting lineup and went 70 minutes as Liverpool FC drew Chelsea 1-1 in their Capitol One Cup Semifinal first leg at Anfield on Tuesday.
After missing the club’s 2-0 road victory over Aston Villa over the weekend due to a hamstring injury, Gerrard earned the start and donned the captain’s armband as the Reds drew thanks to a spectacular individual goal by Raheem Sterling in the 56th minute. Chelsea had pulled ahead in the 18th minute when Eden Hazard buried a penalty after being dragged down in the box a minute earlier by Liverpool’s Emre Can.
During his 70-minute stint, the soon-to-be Galaxy midfielder had several opportunities to put the Reds on the board, but saw a curling ball from nearly 30-yards tipped over the bar by Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois in the 16th minute. With the score level in the 66th minute after Sterling’s tally, a left-footed smash by Gerrard nearly put Liverpool ahead, but the 34-year-old’s effort went clanged off the left post.
Gerrard and Liverpool return to action on Saturday when they take on Championship side Bolton in the fourth round of the FA Cup at Anfield. Following their FA Cup clash, the Reds will then head south to London for the second leg of their Capital One Cup series against Chelsea.
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog at LAGalaxy.com/insider and contact him at LAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com.
