Despite conceding early through Fernando Torres in the sixth minute, Chelsea came back through two copycat headers from Branislav Ivanovic on 39 and 62 minutes.

Ivorian striker Didier Drogba hit Chelsea's third seven minutes later to earn The Blues an away goal galore ahead of the return leg at Stamford Bridge.

Liverpool had the upper hand at the start of the game and Torres did well to meet Alvaro Arbeloa's cross with a clinical finish.

Rafa Benitez's side slowed their pace after the goal, and in the 28th minute Drogba was unlucky to see his shot go over Giuseppe Reina's bar.

Ivanovic, who was only in the side due to Jose Bosingwa's injury, leveled the score for Guus Hiddink's men after heading a Florent Malouda corner.

The second half was one way traffic for Chelsea, as the visitors totally outclassed Liverpool to twice extend their lead.

Ivanovic added his team's second with a similar effort from a Frank Lampard corner before Drogba latched onto a Malouda cross with a low finish past Reina.