Chelsea, however, made the most of the few opportunities they had and punished Liverpool twice - the first from William Gallas 10 minutes before half-time and the second from Hernan Crespo on 68 minutes.
Jose Reina was sent off late on in the game following an altercation with Arjen Robben, giving Jerzy Dudek the opportunity to appear in a Liverpool shirt - the first since his heroic display in Istanbul.
The result leaves Chelsea 15 points clear of Man Utd and 21 ahead of Liverpool, although the Reds do have two games in hand.
Chelsea: Cech, Gallas, Ricardo Carvalho, Terry, Del Horno, Makelele (Diarra 84), Essien, Lampard, Joe Cole (Duff 74), Robben, Crespo, Duff (Gudjohnsen 79). Subs Not Used: Cudicini, Huth.
Booked: Essien.
Goals: Gallas 35, Crespo 68.
Liverpool: Reina, Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, Warnock, Alonso, Sissoko (Cisse 74), Riise (Luis Garcia 61), Kewell, Gerrard, Crouch, Luis Garcia (Dudek 83). Subs Not Used: Morientes, Traore.
Sent Off: Reina (82). Booked: Luis Garcia, Alonso.
