David Luiz’s phenomenal free-kick may have grabbed the headlines but N’Golo Kante’s control in the middle of the park did not go unnoticed from his peers.
The 25-year-old patrolled the midfield area and his stats on the night made every other player pale in comparison.
Kante made 14 successful tackles to break up Liverpool’s play – the next best tackler was Dejan Lovren and Wijnaldum with three apiece.
And Ballack singled out the France international for his role in helping Chelsea go nine points clear at the top of the Premier League.
“When Liverpool were starting to create danger, he was there,” Ballack told BT Sport.
“He was stopping the ball again and doesn’t give up.
“He’s like an annoying fly because he’s always there. He never gets stressed and he makes everything look easy.”
Kante’s performances in the league for Leicester and Chelsea have drawn comparisons to Blues legend Claude Makelele.
Rio Ferdinand holds Makelele in the highest esteem but he believes Kante is in a similar mould.
“I didn’t think we’d see anyone close or similar to Makelele but he’s the nearest you’re going to get,” said Ferdinand.
“Makelele was a super, intelligent footballer and this guy is the same.
“He’s like a rash, he’s on you and when he’s in and around you he’s so nimble and quick that he just nicks the ball and he passes it five or 10 yards to another blue shirt.”
