NOTHING lasts forever. One of the most famous records in Premier League history was banished to the dustbin yesterday. And in doing so, Liverpool posted further evidence they may be about to address their own lengthy statistic.

Chelsea’s proud 86-match unbeaten home league run was brought to an emphatic halt as Rafael Benitez’s side posted a major statement of their title intent this season.

Even the Spaniard will now find it almost impossible to put a lid on the bubbling pot of expectation among the Anfield support that their team harbours genuine ambitions of ending a title drought that stretches back to 1990.

Thanks to Xabi Alonso’s 10th-minute strike, an unbeaten Liverpool sit top of the table this morning on the strength of their best-ever start to a Premier League campaign.

Having been the victim of many a deflected strike at Stamford Bridge in recent years, it was perhaps appropriate that Liverpool’s winning goal should come from the help of a fortunate ricochet.

But the bounce off Jose Bosingwa’s back that wrong-footed Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech didn’t just earn three points, inflict a first defeat on Luiz Felipe Scolari and end the Londoners’ home rule.

It gave Liverpool the platform to underline why they mean business this season.

The memory of too many false dawns in those 18 years since their 18th and most recent championship means no-one at Anfield will become carried away by an encouraging opening two months.

But there is an attitude, a determination and a mentality among this Liverpool squad that suggests they are in the title challenge for the long haul.

Results this season have shown they will take some beating, with Benitez’s side having now lost just four of their last 48 league games.

Liverpool have dealt with whatever has been thrown at them, may it be a 2-0 half-time setback at Manchester City, a late deficit against Wigan Athletic or, as yesterday, preventing a free-scoring Chelsea from scoring in a league game for the first time since their last visit to Stamford Bridge in February.

Now Benitez will discover how his players cope with the unchartered territory of leading from the front.