Glen Johnson scored a sensational late winner to earn Liverpool three vital Barclays Premier League points at his old club Chelsea.
Former Blues full-back Johnson netted a brilliant solo effort to inflict his old club's third defeat in four league matches and leave both teams 12 points behind Manchester City.
Each side committed bad defensive errors to concede earlier goals, with Maxi Rodriguez giving Liverpool a half-time lead on his first league start of the season and substitute Daniel Sturridge equalising shortly after the break.
A draw was arguably a fair result but that had also been the case in Chelsea's games against Manchester United and Arsenal this season when they also ended up on the losing side.
Today's loss cast further doubt on manager Andre Villas-Boas' Stamford Bridge revolution, with the Blues now looking set to drop out of the top four, something billionaire owner Roman Abramovich is unlikely to tolerate for long.
The Russian watched his prize asset left on the bench this afternoon as Fernando Torres and Liverpool's Andy Carroll both failed to start.
The game did bring together the two players accused of racially abusing an opponent in recent weeks.
Both John Terry and Luis Suarez, who strenuously deny the allegations made against them, were both spared the kind of hostile reception from rival fans they might expect against other opponents.
Liverpool made the more impressive start, almost exploiting Chelsea's now notoriously high defensive line by twice Rodriguez getting beyond Suarez and Bellamy.
It took 10 minutes for the home side to seriously threaten, Juan Mata drilling Florent Malouda's cross dangerously back across goal.
At the other end, Branislav Ivanovic got a vital touch on Bellamy's cross before Johnson wasted a great opportunity to tee up a team-mate after a barnstorming run.
Liverpool, wearing black armbands in memory of the son of goalkeeper Brad Jones, who died of leukaemia on Friday, were looking more than comfortable, although Drogba hit the stanchion with a free-kick some supporters thought had gone in.
Terry, whose error cost Chelsea dearly against Arsenal in their last home game, made another gaffe in the 28th minute when he was robbed by Kuyt but David Luiz snuffed out the Liverpool attack.
Lucas was booked for clattering into the defender but the visitors' pressure was beginning to tell and they took the lead five minutes later after more horrendous defending.
John Obi Mikel dwelt on Petr Cech's pass and Charlie Adam robbed him, fed Craig Bellamy, who played a one-two with Suarez before feeding Rodriguez to clip over the goalkeeper.
An angry exchange between Terry and Bellamy, who have had more than one run in down the years, was calmed by referee Lee Probert.
With Chelsea's title bid threatening to unravel entirely, Villas-Boas hauled off Mikel for Daniel Sturridge at half-time.
It almost paid off four minutes in when Frank Lampard and Mata combined to find Drogba, who curled over from a good position.
The home side still looked uncertain whenever Liverpool broke but their pressure told in the 55th minute thanks to some rotten defending from the visitors.
Malouda was allowed to advance into the box and his cross-cum-shot was tapped home by
Former Blues full-back Johnson netted a brilliant solo effort to inflict his old club's third defeat in four league matches and leave both teams 12 points behind Manchester City.
Each side committed bad defensive errors to concede earlier goals, with Maxi Rodriguez giving Liverpool a half-time lead on his first league start of the season and substitute Daniel Sturridge equalising shortly after the break.
Fine strike: Glen Johnson led the Chelsea rearguard in a merry dance before slotting home the winner
MATCH FACTS
Chelsea: Cech, Ivanovic, Luiz, Terry, Cole, Ramires (Meireles 84), Mikel (Sturridge 46), Lampard, Mata, Drogba (Torres 84), Malouda. Subs not used: Turnbull, Romeu, Bosingwa, Anelka.
Booked: Ivanovic, Luiz, Ramires.
Scorer: Sturridge 55.
Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Skrtel, Agger, Jose Enrique, Kuyt, Lucas, Adam, Maxi (Downing 77), Bellamy, Suarez (Carroll 90). Subs not used: Doni, Henderson, Spearing, Carragher, Kelly.
Booked: Lucas, Kuyt.
Goal: Maxi 33, Johnson 87.
Referee: Lee Probert.
Booked: Ivanovic, Luiz, Ramires.
Scorer: Sturridge 55.
Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Skrtel, Agger, Jose Enrique, Kuyt, Lucas, Adam, Maxi (Downing 77), Bellamy, Suarez (Carroll 90). Subs not used: Doni, Henderson, Spearing, Carragher, Kelly.
Booked: Lucas, Kuyt.
Goal: Maxi 33, Johnson 87.
Referee: Lee Probert.
Today's loss cast further doubt on manager Andre Villas-Boas' Stamford Bridge revolution, with the Blues now looking set to drop out of the top four, something billionaire owner Roman Abramovich is unlikely to tolerate for long.
The Russian watched his prize asset left on the bench this afternoon as Fernando Torres and Liverpool's Andy Carroll both failed to start.
The game did bring together the two players accused of racially abusing an opponent in recent weeks.
Both John Terry and Luis Suarez, who strenuously deny the allegations made against them, were both spared the kind of hostile reception from rival fans they might expect against other opponents.
On the mark: Luis Suarez, Stewart Downing, Johnson and Jordan Henderson celebrate as Liverpool took all three points at Stamford Bridge
It took 10 minutes for the home side to seriously threaten, Juan Mata drilling Florent Malouda's cross dangerously back across goal.
At the other end, Branislav Ivanovic got a vital touch on Bellamy's cross before Johnson wasted a great opportunity to tee up a team-mate after a barnstorming run.
Level pegging: Daniel Sturridge made it 1-1 after poking home Florent Malouda's fine centre
Terry, whose error cost Chelsea dearly against Arsenal in their last home game, made another gaffe in the 28th minute when he was robbed by Kuyt but David Luiz snuffed out the Liverpool attack.
Lucas was booked for clattering into the defender but the visitors' pressure was beginning to tell and they took the lead five minutes later after more horrendous defending.
Looking back in anger: Ashley Cole was helpless to prevent Maxi's strike
An angry exchange between Terry and Bellamy, who have had more than one run in down the years, was calmed by referee Lee Probert.
With Chelsea's title bid threatening to unravel entirely, Villas-Boas hauled off Mikel for Daniel Sturridge at half-time.
Opening strike: Maxi Rodriguez and Luis Suarez celebrate Liverpool's first
The home side still looked uncertain whenever Liverpool broke but their pressure told in the 55th minute thanks to some rotten defending from the visitors.
Malouda was allowed to advance into the box and his cross-cum-shot was tapped home by
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2063941/Chelsea-1-Liverpool-2-Johnson-haunt-Blues-Villas-Boas-slump-continues.html#ixzz1eHbWVS29
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