Dutch striker Dirk Kuyt put the hosts ahead early in the first-half before a stunning volley by winger Jermaine Pennant sealed the victory shortly after.

Liverpool maintained their third place in the Premiership table with 46 points while Chelsea are second on 51 points, six adrift of leaders Manchester United, who have a chance to extend the gap when they face Arsenal later on Sunday.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho was forced to field Paulo Ferreira and Michael Essien in the heart of the defense due to the absence of skipper John Terry and Portuguese Ricardo Carvalho.

Goalkeeper Petr Cech made his first competitive start since fracturing his skull against Reading in October, wearing a protective headwear.

Liverpool were ahead as early as the fourth minute when Peter Crouch headed Jamie Carragher's long ball into the path of Kuyt whose superb control helped him ease his way past Ferreira before hitting a right-footed shot into the back of the net.

Norwegian winger John Arne Riise should have doubled Reds' lead just moments later when he went face-to-face with Cech after being set-up by Xabi Alonso but the Czech Republic keeper brilliantly blocked his effort.

Pennant added the second in the 17th minute after chesting down Essien's clearance on the edge of the area before firing an unstoppable volley into the top corner of the net.

Riise almost put the game beyond doubts in the second-half but his trademark thunderous shot was denied by the crossbar.