Confirmation of Liverpool's participation in this year's title race has been delayed. Hopefully, not indefinitely.

No-one left Stamford Bridge presuming they'd just seen the performances of potential champions.

That this conclusion could be applied as much to Chelsea as Rafa Benitez's deeply frustrated side, confirms how well Liverpool played despite losing in London.

But devoid of the clinical edge which has now cost six precious points against their bitterest rivals, encouraging displays offer scant consolation. [More]