There was just the one safety net. The travelling Liverpool fans brought along a banner that read “Stamford Bridge, home to no European Cups”. It is the standard insurance policy for Liverpool. Or rather it used to be. Their victory over Chelsea propelled Rafael BenÍtez’s side to the top of the Barclays Premier League, brought an end to the West London club’s 4½ years of invincibility and underlined that Liverpool are in the title race.

It has become the bane of Liverpool fans to be asked those impossible questions about what they would sacrifice to win the league title again. Would they accept being beaten in the Champions League final if they could be guaranteed the league crown? In theory, perhaps – but come the big day with the fireworks and the weight of history and the stories of arduous journeys to foreign fields by fans who are broke, the need to win the title fades again.

Games such as yesterday’s at Stamford Bridge help, though. It was not just another match in the busy schedule, or another chance for BenÍtez to improve his poor record against the big four clubs. It had an historical edge, a cup-final quality and Liverpool adore that kind of backdrop.

Chelsea may have been, in league terms, BenÍtez’s bogey side, but there was a palpable sense that something momentous was about to happen. Liverpool had been winning but not quite clicking; it was only a matter of time before they did so.

Chelsea fans liked to joke that their phenomenal unbeaten home record in the league, now frozen at 86, would probably be halted by an unfashionable team, courtesy of a poor refereeing decision and some bad luck.

Does it hurt more or less that it was ended by class, graft, confidence and the sort of quick thinking and fast feet that left Chelsea’s stars befuddled and irritable?

Luiz Felipe Scolari made a few fatal errors. His formation killed off his team’s width and he handed the psychological advantage to BenÍtez when he decided to replace two players in the 58th minute. Double substitutions exude desperation and rarely turn games on their head. BenÍtez responded by bringing on Ryan Babel who almost scored twice and emphasised that this was not a match that the Liverpool manager was content to draw.

The result will probably benefit both teams. Chelsea have been inhibited by their home record, happier to draw tricky games than risk defeat. Liverpool will know, having defeated Manchester United this season, that they can become the team to fear. Their supporters were happy to illustrate the point, singing their jolly, bouncing Fernando Torres ditty; a reminder that if they can produce such an awesome display without the Spain forward, imagine what havoc they will inflict with him fully fit.

BenÍtez likes control, science, logic and statistics. He knows how much effort each of his players is capable of and ensures that they give it. On the pitch this translates as early pressure that is sustained. Liverpool did not stop harassing, closing down and working and they never tired either. Jamie Carragher was as alert in the last minute as he was in the first and looked a defender at his physical and mental peak.

If he ever doubted his decision to opt out of England duty, this match, and all it implies, will have convinced him that he was right.