Diego Costa's second half strike gave the Blues the victory at Anfield
There might be qualms about his nationality - born in Brazil and plays for Spain - but there are no doubts about his desire for Chelsea's cause.
When manager Jose Mourinho handed Atletico Madrid £32million in the summer, he was effectively opening up the safe which contains the Premier League title trophy.
When the going gets tough, the tough get going and they don't come much tougher than this 26-year-old street fighter.
It was a continual battle against Liverpool central defender Martin Skrtel, who isn't exactly slow in coming forward when there's a skirmish on the cards.
But it was Costa who had the final say with his 67th-minute winning goal. Cesar Azpilicueta just managed to keep the ball in before cutting into the box and when Simon Mignolet could only palm out the Spaniard's shot, Costa followed up for his 10th Premier League goal in nine starts.
Now he can put his feet up and rest those troublesome hamstrings, courtesy of Spain's agreement to leave the forward out of their latest European Championship qualifiers.
"He now has 15 days to be at the top of his game. Spain has made a fantastic decision," said Mourinho.
This was a throwback to the days of tribal footballing warfare - two clubs with a distinct dislike of one another and their respective cultures.
There has been plenty of modern history to stir the pot. Yesterday, the whole gripping scenario was played out in a highly charged atmosphere.
Rodgers infuriated by clear handball [AMBIENT]
The Kop bellowed out for revenge for that fateful April day when a first title since 1990 was wrenched from their grip by a Mourinho side determined to be party poopers.
It meant that no Liverpool goal this season has been celebrated with such fervour as Emre Can's ninth-minute opener - his first for the club.
The German Under-21 midfielder, who survived manager Brendan Rodgers' seven-player turnaround from the midweek Champions League game against Real Madrid, was given licence to move forward by a strangely back-pedalling Chelsea.
With less than a minute on the clock, he exposed Chelsea's unwillingness to close down with a strike which deflected just wide.
Lessons hadn't been learned when Can once again accelerated towards Chelsea's goal unopposed - this time a ricochet off Gary Cahill looped past the stranded Thibaut Courtois.
The Anfield joy and glow lasted just five minutes as new technology ensured justice this time for Mourinho in front of The Kop.
The Portuguese has never forgotten or forgiven the Luis Garcia 'ghost goal' which nailed Chelsea's ambitions of reaching the 2005 Champions League final. He swears to this day that Liverpool's miracle of Istanbul should never have happened as Garcia's winner in the semi-final between the two sides didn't cross the line.
Fast forward 10 years and the much-lauded goal decision system did the job for a relieved Cahill.
Simon Mignolet performed heroics to claw out a John Terry header but Cahill's follow-up was deemed to have been carried over the line by the Belgian - referee Anthony Taylor in doubt until his piece of gadgetry sparked into life.
But Cahill was extremely fortunate to escape a strong penalty appeal two minutes from time when he leaned into a fierce drive from Steven Gerrard - and in front of the Kop.
"It was a clear handball." Rodgers stated. "But that's where we are at the moment. Nothing is going for us."
It most certainly isn't as the 15-point gap - more a chasm, really - has opened up between Chelsea and his side, who finished above them last season.
This was Liverpool's third defeat in a week - the frustration of the fans boiling over when Rodgers strangely substituted his best player, Philiipe Coutinho.
With just two wins in Liverpool's last eight league games, Rodgers must feel the world is closing in on him - a far cry from the bon homie which was around last season when Liverpool, fired by the goals of Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge, were the most exciting show in town.
Once again Mario Balotelli sleep-walked through the game, his quickest move reserved for the moment when he was predictably substituted.
What a contrast to Costa, who left the field to a standing ovation from the Chelsea fans and respect from those of a Liverpool persuasion.
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