Liverpool have come from behind to earn a 1-1 draw against Chelsea in the first leg of their League Cup semi-final this evening.

Steven Gerrard almost opened the scoring for the Reds when his powerful effort from range was tipped over the bar by Thibaut Courtois.

However, just moments later Chelsea were awarded a penalty following Emre Can's clumsy foul inside the box on Eden Hazard.

It was Hazard who stepped up to take the spot kick and he made no mistake with a calm finish into the bottom corner.

Liverpool struggled to come up with a response and despite plenty of possession they could not find a way past Chelsea's well-organised defence by the end of the first half.

After the break, the match continued in the same pattern with the Reds seeing plenty of the ball, and just before the hour mark they turned their dominance into a goal.

Raheem Sterling had little on when he received the ball in the middle of the pitch, but the winger drove into the box and took the ball past Gary Cahill, before sliding an effort into the bottom corner.

The Reds continued to pile on the pressure and Gerrard was within inches of giving his side the lead when his low strike hit the outside of the post.

Philippe Coutinho was next to try his luck, and the Brazilian stung the gloves of Courtois with a powerful low drive.

The Blues were struggling to contain their opponents and Liverpool came close again when Jordan Henderson's strike was parried by the keeper, but Sterling turned the rebound over the bar.

Courtois was being kept busy in the Chelsea goal and he produced another important save to tip a drive from Adam Lallana wide of the post.

Liverpool looked the more likely side to grab a winner late on, but they were unable to find a second goal leaving the tie all square ahead of next week's second leg.