RAFAEL BENITEZ and Sir Alex Ferguson haven’t agreed on much this season. But if the Spaniard is to be believed, then neither would have been overly enamoured by what transpired at Anfield last night.

Liverpool’s late charge for the championship will now assume top priority after Benitez’s side slipped towards the precipice of Champions League elimination.

Responding to Ferguson’s latest barbs, the Spaniard had declared the Manchester United manager would be supporting their bitter North West rivals against Chelsea as extra games could threaten their title momentum.

That’s unlikely to be an issue for Liverpool after next Tuesday’s second leg following this demoralising loss.

It was their first defeat in 33 home games, only the second time they had lost a first leg in European competition when played at Anfield, and their heaviest ever home loss in Continental combat, equalling the 3-1 reverse against Barcelona in 2001.

John Terry’s absence through suspension in next week is unlikely to make much difference. After all, Liverpool must score three goals at Stamford Bridge to keep alive their European dream – something they haven’t managed for almost 20 years.

Benitez’s side may have ended Chelsea’s 86-game domestic unbeaten home record earlier this season, but it will take a Herculean effort to salvage anything from this result.

The 23rd meeting between the sides since Benitez assumed charge in June 2004, this perhaps the most painful for the Anfield outfit.

But as impressive as Chelsea played, Liverpool made it easy for the Londoners by falling massively short of the standards they have been setting in recent weeks.

The defence, so solid of late, was unsure throughout, the midfield badly missed the banned Javier Mascherano while going forward only Fernando Torres came close to his best. Even skipper Steven Gerrard was subdued, well shackled by the excellent Michael Essien.

It had all started so well when Torres netted with just six minutes gone. But in truth Liverpool were second best from that moment onwards.