Despite making a bright start to the game we found ourselves 2-0 down at Stamford Bridge in a crucial match between second and third in the Premier League, as we were ruthlessly punished by our opponents for two moments of indecision at the back.

However, a brilliant volley from outside the box by Kovacic and a well-taken Christian Pulisic goal just three minutes later ensured we went in level at the break. We had chances to win the game, but it was not to be, leaving the Croatian international to reflect on a thrilling match which had plenty of highlights, but ultimately left him with mixed emotions.

‘We were in a difficult moment because we were 2-0 down,’ said Kovacic. ‘We started the game quite well, then conceded two goals and it was difficult to come back. I had the luck that the ball came to me and I just shot.

‘When I saw that it was going in, it was a beautiful goal, but I think we were growing with the momentum and we scored the second goal. I think we could have done even more but we should be happy with that point because it was tough to come back.’

Despite being pleased to secure the draw given the circumstances after half-an-hour, our midfielder cannot help feeling it was a missed opportunity and a case of two points dropped rather than one earned due to the nature of the goals we conceded, especially with the result leaving us 10 points behind leaders Manchester City in the table.

‘We are happy with the comeback and the team spirit we showed, but not happy with the two points dropped because we obviously wanted to win this game, but it was difficult to come back after we conceded two goals like that. They should not happen at this level, but it happened to us today and we came back amazing.

‘For me it’s always two points dropped because we always want to win and we wanted to earn the three points to get closer to City. But we showed great character, we came back and that’s what it is about. It showed our great team spirit.

‘We started the game very good and we had a good chance with Christian, we didn’t score it, then we conceded two goals which we should not concede. It was difficult because we conceded one, we conceded a second, and then when you make mistakes because you are 2-0 down they have chances on the counter-attack.

‘We knew that we needed to be more focused, which we actually were in the first 15 or 20 minutes. The two goals killed us, but it happened and we showed great team spirit to come back, we scored two good goals and we had a very good second half, just allowing some chances against us we should not.

‘We had many chances, but also they had good chances, so it was a great game of football. I’m glad we showed such a great team spirit. We should be happy with our good performance overall and we should continue to play like that.’

It was also a significant moment for Kovacic’s season personally, as he completed a second successive 90 minutes of football in the space of five days, having not previously started a Premier League game since October after being kept out of action by injury and then Covid.

‘I had some difficulties over the last two months,’ admitted our No.8. ‘I think I started the season quite well, I felt very good, but then I got an injury and when I came back I got Covid. So it was not easy but I was working a lot to come back and gaining fitness game by game.

‘Today was an important test for me because Liverpool is a high-intensity team, so I think I coped good with that, but still there is a lot of room for improvement for me and to gain fitness even more.’