Chelsea boosted their top-four hopes as Mason Mount's first-half strike inflicted a fifth straight defeat at Anfield for champions Liverpool.

Thomas Tuchel's side dominated the first half and thought they had scored through Timo Werner in the 24th minute, but the goal was ruled out by VAR after an extremely tight offside call.

However, Chelsea's dominance did eventually pay off when Mount fired past Alisson to give the visitors a deserved lead.

Liverpool showed more urgency after the break, but they struggled to find their fluency in attack and failed to create many clear-cut chances as Chelsea held on for what could prove to be a crucial three points in the race for Champions League qualification.

Victory sees Chelsea, who continue their unbeaten start to life under Tuchel, move up to fourth in the Premier League table ahead of another crucial game at home to Everton on Monday (kick-off 6pm).

Meanwhile, Liverpool's difficult season continues as Jurgen Klopp's side, who stay seventh, go into the record books for the wrong reason after a fifth straight home defeat.

'Big victory will bring belief to Chelsea'
Sky Sports' Jamie Carragher:

"It's a great result for Chelsea, it really is. Thomas Tuchel has made a fantastic start to his career at the club. He's come in on an 18-month contract and it felt like he had to get this club into the top four in his first few months. They are in that position now.

"Mason Mount was outstanding for the visitors. There was a lot of talk about him being on the bench in Tuchel's first game, but I'm sure Tuchel is aware of how important he will be, not just this season but in the years to come for Chelsea.

"It really is a big result. You can see that from the reaction of the players. It's not just about where it puts them now but psychologically it will bring huge belief to this club and it sends a warning to the Premier League that they will be difficult to shift out of the top four now.

"They look a really good outfit and deserved this result."

Man of the match - Andreas Christensen

Sky Sports' Jamie Carragher: "It was a toss-up between Andreas Christensen and Mason Mount, but I've gone with Christensen.

"He defended really well in the second half and he was extremely brave in taking the ball in really difficult positions. He was really composed on the ball

"He was a standout performer for Chelsea against a Liverpool side that struggled to create anything of note."

Opta facts - Liverpool's dismal home form continues...

After going 68 games without a league defeat at Anfield, the second-longest such run in English top-flight history, Liverpool have lost each of their last five at Anfield - it is the first time they have ever lost five consecutive games at Anfield.

Klopp's side have become the first English top-flight reigning champions to lose five consecutive home league games.

Liverpool have earned just 10 points from 11 Premier League games in 2021 - only West Brom (nine), Newcastle

Chelsea have conceded only two goals in 10 games in all competitions under Thomas Tuchel, the same return as they had after 10 games under José Mourinho - both managers' 10th game was a 1-0 win against Liverpool.

Since Thomas Tuchel took charge of his first league game as Chelsea boss (January 27th), only Manchester City (24) have picked up more points than the Blues during his eight games as manager (18) - previous boss Frank Lampard earned only seven points from his final eight games in charge.

Liverpool have earned just 10 points from 11 Premier League games in 2021 - only West Brom (nine), Newcastle (seven), and Southampton (four) have picked up fewer points since the turn of the year.

What's next?

Liverpool are back in action on Super Sunday when they host Fulham, live on Sky Sports Premier League from 1pm; Kick-off 2pm.

Meanwhile, Chelsea face another top-four rival in their next game when they host Everton at Stamford Bridge on Monday; Kick-off 6pm.

Teams

Liverpool Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Fabinho, Kabak, Robertson, Jones (Jota 62), Thiago (Milner 80), Wijnaldum (c), Salah (Oxlade-Chamberlain 62), Firmino, Mane
Subs Not Used Adrian, N. Williams, R. Williams, Keita, Shaqiri, Origi
Booked
Goals

Chelsea Mendy, Azpilicueta (c), Christensen, Rudiger, James, Kante, Jorginho, Chilwell, Ziyech (Pulisic 66), Mount (Kovacic 81), Werner (Havertz 90+1)
Subs Not Used Kepa, Zouma, Alonso, Emerson, Hudson-Odoi, Giroud
Booked
Goals Mount 42

Attendance 0

Referee Martin Atkinson

VAR Paul Tierney