Liverpool 0-2 Chelsea

Gerrard gifts Drogba opener as Benitez is left red-faced

In what could Rafael Benitez's last game in charge at Anfield, Liverpool were powerless to prevent a ruthless Chelsea side from taking three points that sees them close in on the Premier League title.

A disastrous error from Steven Gerrard set Didier Drogba through to open the scoring with a simple finish, whilst Frank Lampard rounded off a flowing move to net the second.

The visitor's intent was seen in the opening minute as Nicolas Anelka won possession from Gerrard and teed up Lampard for a shot from distance, but the midfielder's effort failed to test Pepe Reina as it sailed wide.

At the other end, Liverpool allayed any fears that a clash of interests would take away from their desire to win with an attacking start that saw a Maxi Rodriguez strike deflect wide of goal, with Javier Mascherano's ricocheted hit coming close from the resultant corner.

Referee Alan Wiley had a big decision to make after just three minutes of play as Saloman Kalou tumbled in the box, but the Ivorian was deemed to have gone down rather too easily under little pressure.

Kalou's compatriot Drogba, a constant source of anxiety for Liverpool whenever the sides meet, limped off for treatment for several minutes, but was eventually able to return to play.

Carlo Ancelotti's bold line-up troubled the home side, who allowed Florent Malouda to weave through the middle of the pitch before hitting a tame effort wide of Reina's goal.

The Spanish keeper was soon called into action from an Anelka howitzer from 30 yards, which Reina did well to parry out.

Long range shots were the order of the day, and Alberto Aquilani drew gasps from the Anfield Road End with a powerful strike that had Peter Cech beaten, but the Roman's rocket skimmed the top side of the bar.

The opening minutes were played at a frenetic pace as both sides sought an early goal, but few clear opportunities were created as both sets of midfielders hustled well, sucking creativity in the middle of the park.

When the tempo did subside, it was usually the home side who had the ball, with neat, if not incisive, passing that slowed the pace of the game; however, Yossi Benayoun and Lucas Leiva failed to hit the target from distance when in space.

Liverpool finally managed to craft a clear chance on 30 minutes as a clever chipped pass from Rodriguez saw Aquilani through on goal, but the Italian's first touch enabled Branislav Ivanovic to close in and swipe the ball away before Cech could be tested.

Rodriguez was at the hub of most of the Reds' build-up play, linking up well with international colleague Mascherano down the right wing, but he failed to get onto a clipped Gerrard cross after ghosting into the box unmarked.

It was the Liverpool captain who would provide the telling pass for the opening goal, but not the sort of pass that will live long in his memory. Inexplicably, the former Chelsea transfer target attempted a casual pass back that fell perfectly to Drogba, who rounded Reina with his first touch and slotted home with his second.

Lampard came close to adding another moments later after Kalou exposed Mascherano's deficiencies at right back and fed the ball to the England international whose should have done better with time to arrow in an effort on goal.

Once more Mascherano was caught out by Kalou, and once more Chelsea should have scored as Lampard fed the ball to Anelka in the box, only to be denied by a well-timed challenge from Sotiris Kyrgiakos.

That prompted a wake-up call for the home side, who could well have been three down within minutes of conceding, but Benayoun failed to find a red shirt after a sweeping counter attack that saw Chelsea flustered.

Rodriguez was forced off with injury just minutes prior to the break with Ryan Babel coming on to replace him as Liverpool struggled to break down their opponents despite seeing more of the ball.

Wiley would soon frustrate the Blues by refusing to point to the spot once more as Kalou fell in the box under pressure from Lucas, whose outstretched foot brushed the Ivorian's trailing leg.

Ancelotti was still fuming over the decision as the sides headed to the tunnel at half-time, gesticulating towards the fourth official in the dugout, although his ire could well have been directed at his own players for failing to convert their chances.

Were it not for Gerrard's inexcusable sloppiness, Liverpool should have gone into the break on level footing having largely matched their opponents, but they were also lucky that Lucas's clumsy challenge seemingly went unseen by Wiley.

The home side attacked the Kop in the second half, but it was the away side who threatened first as Ashley Cole slipped the ball through to Kalou who was well held-up by Kyrgiakos before Lucas was able to pass the ball away from danger.

Chelsea continued their tactic of isolating Mascherano at right back, and Kalou again posed a threat with a jinking run along the byline, but Anelka failed to anticipate the pass across the face of the goal.

Liverpool looked lacklustre whilst the Blues bombed forward in numbers, and it was unsurprising when they added a second following intricate play as Drogba lofted a pass to Anelka who zipped the ball in the middle of the box for Lampard to turn in with a sliding shot.

In the build up to the goal, Carragher collapsed in pain and headed straight down to the dressing room to be replaced by Daniel Ayala – a sorry day for Liverpool's vice-captain.

The Reds nearly pulled one back soon after following a John Terry howler, but Alex's toe poked the ball over the bar as Babel raced through on goal.

Despite their captain's cock-up, Chelsea were imperious in attack, and looked at ease as they passed the ball around the Liverpool midfield, finding space all too easily between a bedraggled and makeshift defence.

Anelka should have done better when a looping cross found him in space at the far post, but he was to be denied by Reina who made a fine athletic save from a stinging Malouda strike moments later.

Whilst the Liverpool keeper was outstanding, those in front of him were anything but. With rushed clearances aplenty and a plodding pace, the home side looked incapable of turning the tide.

A botched set-piece routine summed up Liverpool's fortunes as Gerrard slow pass to Daniel Agger ensured that plenty of blue shirts would prevent the Dane from striking at the edge of the area.

Aquilani was hauled off after a quiet second half showing to be replaced by David Ngog, a final throw of the dice from Benitez.

A rare swift move from Liverpool saw Gerrard and Lucas link-up, but Terry easily mopped up to launch a counter attack that saw Chelsea outnumber their opponents and stretch Reina once more as Anelka smashed an effort from distance, which the Spaniard did well to keep out and even better to collect the loose ball with Drogba ready to pounce.

The visitors were a constant menace on the counter attack as Liverpool poured forward to try and save some face after a limp display.

The result means that Chelsea will win the title should Manchester United lose to Sunderland on Sunday, and for some Liverpool fans that may be cause for relief as their haul of league titles will remain in the record books. But for most, the defeat will be a new low point in a bitterly disappointing season, which could soon spell the end of Benitez's tenure at the club.

(taken from Goal.com)