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'I can't train every day'

David Luiz free-kick: Chelsea defender admits that he hadn’t been practising because he has a bad knee.. before celebrating with epic knee slide

DAVID LUIZ's free-kick was a surprise to everyone - including himself.

The defender netted a stunner to leave Chelsea NINE points clear at the top of the Prem.

 David Luiz celebrates netting a free-kick in the 1-1 draw with Liverpool
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David Luiz celebrates netting a free-kick in the 1-1 draw with LiverpoolCredit: Reuters

He then revealed he hadn't been practising much because he was hardly training due to a knee problem. And that injury wouldn't have been helped much by the epic slide he pulled off in celebration. Arsenal hero Patrick Viera actually injured himself doing a similar celebration in the 1997/98 season, sparking the wrath of manager Arsene Wenger.


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Luiz said: "Sometimes you need to try the surprise.

"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.

 Luiz slides his way towards Blues boss Antonio Conte
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Luiz slides his way towards Blues boss Antonio ConteCredit: Getty Images
 Luiz flings himself into the air as to begin a knee slide.. with an injured knee
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Luiz flings himself into the air as to begin a knee slide.. with an injured kneeCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
 Luiz strikes the free-kick which gave Chelsea the lead against Liverpool
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Luiz strikes the free-kick which gave Chelsea the lead against LiverpoolCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

"I feel tired. It's never easy to win points here. We had opportunity to win the game.

"In the end it was a good result. The crowd here is amazing, this is the atmosphere you want."

Simon Mignolet held his hands up after the game and conceded that he'd been caught out by the Brazilian's free-kick because he hadn't heard the whistle from ref Mark Clattenburg.

But Liverpool's boss refused to blame his keeper for being too busy trying to organised Reds' defensive line.

 Brazilian defender Luiz watches his goal-bound shot fly towards the net
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Brazilian defender Luiz watches his goal-bound shot fly towards the netCredit: EPA
 Luiz admitted after the match that he had been playing with an injured knee
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Luiz admitted after the match that he had been playing with an injured kneeCredit: Reuters

He said: "That was world-class from Luiz. Seconds before he was on the sidelines talking to Antonio Conte and he surprised him. It was really in the corner."

Mignolet added: "I didn't hear the whistle and he hit it early. It is a difficult feeling. He hit it well but I'm disappointed."

The Belgian then redeemed himself with a fine stop from Diego Costa's penalty in the 1-1 draw.

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