Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea: Raheem Sterling equalises after Eden Hazard's penalty in thrilling Capital One Cup semi-final first leg

It was what one might call a Michael Owen moment. Maybe a Jimmy Greaves moment for those whose memory extends to football's golden age. Raheem Sterling turned and ran, straight at the heart of the Chelsea defence. You know, like the great goalscorers do.

In that instant of pure athletic acceleration nobody could live with him. Not Nemanja Matic, the stand-out defensive midfield player of this season, not Gary Cahill who appeared to be plodding through quick-drying cement by comparison. 

Sterling, having dropped deep to receive the pass, was reaching top gear as he arrived in the penalty area, yet he didn't look at all hurried. As Thibaut Courtois began his advance he slipped the ball smartly past him and into the far corner. It was a gem of a goal, worthy of winning any match. That it only achieved parity for Liverpool is testament to Chelsea's defensive resilience. 

It was going to take something exceptional to breach that defence, and Sterling provided it.

Credit, also, to his manager Brendan Rodgers. After the Christmas and New Year fixtures he gave Sterling time off to recharge his batteries, as promised. 

Sterling was pictured holidaying in Jamaica. Some mocked. Who do they think they are these softy footballers, unable to play a full season without taking off to the Caribbean? And how foolish is that mug of a manager to fall for it? Yet Sterling played as if revived. 

He was a proper handful, buzzing around Chelsea's back line, desperately trying to make up for the absence of a genuine striker in Liverpool's ranks. With Daniel Sturridge still missing it speaks volumes that Rodgers prefers Sterling to either Rickie Lambert or Mario Balotelli. Certainly it is hard to imagine either of his rivals scoring a goal of that quality on current form. 

Just like Sterling's trip to Jamaica, that was a bold managerial move. It would have been very easy for Mourinho to keep Petr Cech in goal for one last game - particularly as this competition is regarded as the least important of Chelsea's quartet of campaigns. 

Instead, Courtois was recalled immediately, and was superb in keeping Liverpool at bay. He saved from Philippe Coutinho in the 67th minute, from Jordan Henderson after 75 minutes and from Sterling again when he tried to capitalise on the rebound a second later.

True, Courtois rode his luck when, in gathering the ball under pressure from Sterling, he began to slide out of his area and regained control only with his elbow. 

It should have been a free-kick for handling, and in a dangerous area just outside the box, but referee Martin Atkinson waved it away. Moments later, the Belgian made amends with a quite magnificent stop from Sterling. Without him, this match could have got away from Chelsea. 

They will most certainly have felt greatly relieved when Steven Gerrard shot against the post after 66 minutes. Coutinho set him up and the goal was open in front of The Kop. 

Perhaps he tried to place it too perfectly. With the momentum of a Gerrard goal at the right end, Liverpool's head of steam may have proved unstoppable.

Gerrard was taken off soon after, no doubt with mixed emotions. He had more than played his part in Liverpool's comeback but that miss will have weighed heavily. It will be all about him again at Stamford Bridge, too, with Chelsea's travelling contingent ignoring Mourinho's plea to show respect for a great player.