The Spaniard netted the only goal of the game after ten minutes, courtesy of a deflected shot off Jose Bosingwa.

The unbeaten Reds held on to their lead as Alonso came close to scoring his second of the game, but his free kick was denied by the post.

Chelsea suffered their first defeat this season, as Luiz Felipe Scolari's side has been wretched by a series of injuries to key players in late.

Influential duo Didier Drogba and Michael Essien are out with serious knee injuries, in addition to Michael Ballack.

Watch Liverpool's goal