Chelsea’s Luiz carrying knock for free-kick heroics

It seems practise does not necessarily make perfect for David Luiz, after the Brazilian finally ended his Chelsea goal drought against Liverpool.

Often a contributor of several fine goals a season, despite plying his trade as a defender, Luiz had not scored a goal since his summer return to the Blues.

That was until Tuesday evening, when the 29-year-old rifled in a stunning free-kick at Anfield in Chelsea’s 1-1 draw, catching Liverpool stopper Simon Mignolet completely by surprise.

The Belgian goalkeeper ultimately had the last laugh, saving a Diego Costa penalty in the second half to deny Chelsea a win, after Georginio Wijnaldum’s header had levelled the scores.

But after the match Luiz admitted he has been unable to practise his free-kicks in training in recent days, instead nursing a knee injury and taking it easy.

“Sometimes you need to try the surprise,” he said.

“I’m not in the best position to take free-kicks because my knee is hurting and I can’t train every day, but in a game you need to see the opportunity. I’m pleased I scored.

“It is never easy to play here at Anfield and win points. We had an opportunity to win the game, and we’re unlucky we didn’t win it. But it was a good result.”