Eden Hazard wants trophies with Chelsea not individual acclaim after EFL Cup masterclass against Liverpool

The Belgian's blistering form is prompting comparison to Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo

Eden Hazard is pleased to have been compared to Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo but insists his priority remains winning silverware with Chelsea rather than individual acclaim.

A spectacular solo goal from the Belgian made the difference at Anfield on Wednesday night, with Chelsea winning 2-1 to knock Liverpool out of the EFL Cup.

Hazard beat four opponents - twice bypassing Alberto Moreno - before scoring to add to Emerson Palmieri’s equaliser and complete Chelsea’s turnaround.

He has scored seven times in eight appearances since the start of the season and such form has led some to tout him as one of the best three players in world football.

“It is good,” Hazard admitted, speaking after Wednesday’s win at Anfield. “I try to do what I can do when I am on the pitch.

“I am the same player as two years ago, three years ago. At the moment, I am just scoring goals, that is why everyone is talking for me to be in the top three.

“It is a pleasure to be there. I just want to keep going.”

Eden Hazard celebrates his stunning strike (Getty Images)

Maurizio Sarri, the Chelsea head coach, claimed earlier this month that Hazard is capable of a 40-goal season but the 27-year-old is focused on trophies, not personal targets.

“My only target is to win something every year,” he said. “I want to win trophies. We won the FA Cup last year so we knew the Premier League is going to be hard.

“[Manchester] City, Liverpool, they have a lot of good players and good teams so we will give everything. It is not important how many goals I score.

“You know me, I don’t care about that. I just want to enjoy my football and win games.”

Having beaten a second-string Liverpool at Anfield, Chelsea will welcome a first-choice Jurgen Klopp line-up to Stamford Bridge in the Premier League on Saturday.

Hazard was happy to return to winning ways after Sunday’s goalless draw at West Ham, but does not believe Wednesday’s victory will have an impact on this year’s title race.

“It is just the beginning of the season,” he insisted. “We know that at the end of the season, City, Liverpool, maybe Chelsea, Tottenham - they are going to compete for the title.

“But now it is too early, we just want to win games and that is what we are going to try and do on Saturday.”