He was close to pulling off an impressive Anfield win until Benteke intervened, but although he felt his side should have held on, he was satisfied with their display.

“Of course, it’s a big disappointment to concede in the last minute,” he said. “But I think Chelsea played the perfect game.

“Defensively, we were well organised and offensively we had the intensity to score a beautiful goal through Eden.

“We should have killed the game off and we had two or three chances, but even though they equalised, we can be satisfied with the performance of the team.”

Hazard’s goal was a delight – the winger weaving through a crowd of defenders before coolly beating Mignolet — and it confirmed that he is back to top form and fitness after a quiet season.

The Belgian has come in for an enormous amount of criticism for his anonymous showings this term and Hiddink believes he has more than answered his doubters.

“In every job you have criticism and it’s how you deal with it,” said Hiddink, who will give way to Italy manager Antonio Conte at the season’s end.

“It’s possible it can affect you. It’s always good to see the reaction and his reaction shows he’s capable of playing the way he played.

“You could see what he’s able to do and he’s gifted, talented and smart. He played with courage. He’s both fit and fresh and it’s a pleasure to see him that way.”