Rafael Benitez said before the game that Liverpool's squad had improved this season and he proved that by leaving Sami Hyypia, Steven Gerrard, Xabi Alonso and Craig Bellamy out of the starting line up. Daniel Agger partnered captain for the day Jamie Carragher at the back, Bolo Zenden lined up alongside Momo Sissoko in midfield while Luis Garcia played just behind Peter Crouch up front.
Liverpool took an early lead in the game after a Chelsea corner. The Londoners put a corner into the Reds' box but the ball was cleared to John Arne Riise on the edge of the 18 yard area. Riise then ran the ball deep into the Chelsea half before letting fly from 25 yards and beating Carlo Cudicini.
The Reds had the better of the first half so it was a blow when Andrei Shevchenko equalised for the Blues a minute before half time. That goal gave Chelsea confidence and they took control of the game for the first twenty minutes or so of the second half.
Liverpool fought their way back into the game however, mainly through the efforts of man of the match Momo Sissoko who never gave the Chelsea midfield time to settle on the ball.
After giving Chelsea a chance for the first hour, Rafael Benitez brought his big guns on for the last 30 minutes, Steven Gerrard, Xabi Alonso and Craig Bellamy coming on to win the game for the Reds.
After 80 minutes Fabio Aurelio sent Craig Bellamy scampering away down the left side. Bellamy took the ball to the byline before calmly picking out Peter Crouch who put the Reds back in front with his head.
Crouch's goal was enough to win the game for Liverpool although Aurelio did come close to adding a third after coming on for Mark Gonzales.