LIVERPOOL’S Champions League hopes were finally extinguished by a 2-0 defeat to Chelsea at Anfield today.
A ghastly mistake by Steven Gerrard saw Dider Drogba take full advantage in the first half before Frank Lampard doubled the lead after the break.
While Liverpool can no longer catch Tottenham and Manchester City in the race for fourth place, victory here has put Chelsea within touching distance of the Premier League title with one game remaining.
Liverpool had just two days to recover from the Europa League exit at the hands of Atletico Madrid on Thursday night.
Despite 120 minutes of energy sapping action against the La Liga side, Rafa Benitez made just two changes to his starting line up.
With Glen Johnson rested altogether, Daniel Agger shifted to left-back with Sotirios Kyrgiakos coming in alongside Jamie Carragher, leaving Javier Mascherano to continue at right-back.
Maxi Rodriguez replaced Ryan Babel while Alberto Aquilani started his third successive game for the first time since moving to Anfield from Roma last summer.
Chelsea, meanwhile, had enjoyed the luxury of a full week between games since their 7-0 demolition of Stoke.
Carlo Ancelotti made just one change with Florent Malouda replacing Paulo Ferreira.
With Didier Drogba, Nicolas Anelka and Salomon Kalou all starting, the intention to attack again was clear.
Depending on events at the Stadium of Light, where Manchester United faced Sunderland later in the day, Chelsea could win their fourth league title this afternoon.
In doing so, they would also prevent United overhauling Liverpool’s longstanding record of 18 titles.
This conundrum had led to a debate among Reds fans as to whether they wanted to win or lose this game.
But with fourth place still a possibility, albeit an increasingly distant one, Liverpool had more than just pride and self-respect to play for.
And they showed no signs of giving the visitors an easy ride as Gerrard burst forward in the second minute and flashed the ball across the Chelsea penalty area.
Within five minutes Salomon Kalou went to ground after the slightest of touches from Mascherano, but it was Drogba who felt the wrath of the Anfield crowd after collapsing in a heap under no obvious contact.
Florent Malouda stayed on his feet as he skipped through three Liverpool players to shoot from 25 yards. His tame effort was watched out by Pepe Reina.
A few minutes later, Nicolas Anelka tested Reina with a low shot that fizzed across the turf.
Petr Cech had to get his angles right next when Aquilani saw a speculative effort skim off the top of the net.
As the game settled, both sides tightened up.
The next chance of any note came on 25 minutes when Benayoun sent a long range shot high and wide.
Moments later, Lucas followed suit when he had Rodriguez screaming for a pass to his right.
Malouda was first into the book for a high challenge on Mascherano shortly before Aquilani missed the best chance of the half.
Rodriguez picked out the Italian’s run with a delightful ball but Aquilani wanted too long.
As he steadied to shoot, Ivanovic did enough to put him off his stride. The Kop appealed for a penalty but referee Alan Wiley, just yards away, waved play on.
It was then that Gerrard did his bit for Chelsea’s title bid.
Attempting to take the sting out of a Chelsea attack with a pass back to Reina, the Liverpool captain found Drogba instead.
In a flash, the Ivory Coast striker pounced and put the visitors ahead.
