After a plethora of 'boring' allegations were levelled at Jose Mourinho's team in the midweek Champions League stalemate between the two sides, a penalty from Frank Lampard followed by close-range strikes from Damien Duff, Joe Cole and Geremi kept up Chelsea's 100 per cent start to the season and ended the Reds' unbeaten start to the campaign.
A fine strike from Reds skipper Steven Gerrard had brought Liverpool level, but it proved to be a day of what might have been for the Reds who, as they had in midweek had their chances, and controlled the game for long periods.
Rafa Bentiez made just one change to his side, which bettered the table-topping billionaires in the midweek goalless draw with John Arne Riise replacing Djibril Cisse.
Mourinho, who has developed the ominous habit of shutting people up, brought back Asier del Horno who was injured on Wednesday, and Cole, who scored the winner in the corresponding fixture last term, replaced Arjen Robben on the right-hand side.
Liverpool exerted all the early pressure, pinning the deep defending visitors in their own half, and dealing well with the obligatory long ball towards Didier Drogba who, frustrated by his ineffectiveness, was almost booked for dissent.
But it was the Ivory Coast hitman, who became the game's most efficient performer, who had the first shot in anger after 20 minutes, when he worked himself an opportunity after a neat flick from Michael Essien. The effort was well held by Jose Reina, but Chelsea were slowly getting on top.
Chelsea scored their first goal against the Reds in 200 minutes of football and can thank a shocking piece of defending from Djimi Traore for it.
The gangly Frenchmen tried to clear the ball when it was blocked by Drogba, who then surged into the box and was clumsily brought down by the same player.
Anfield arch-nemesis Lampard stepped up to take the penalty kick, which sneaked in under Reina's body. The former West Ham man was booked for his over-exuberant celebrations in front the Kop fans that were practically foaming at the mouth.
But just nine minutes later Liverpool fans had a smile back on their faces as their team drew level thanks to a stunning blow from Lampard's England pal Gerrard. The Liverpool skipper hit an unerring shot across goal from to become only the second Premiership scorer against Chelsea this season.
But the Blues reacted liked champions and restored their lead within five minutes as Drogba easily beat Sami Hyypia and squared for Duff who slotted easily past Reina just two minutes before the break.
Liverpool came out all guns blazing after the break with Riise getting into the box twice to threaten the Chelsea goal, but he failed to get his shot away first time, and then headed over the bar two minutes later.
A terrible headed error from Hyypia gave Drogba the chance to ruin Liverpool's unbeaten start to the season, but he shot weakly and wide of Reina's goal.
Tempers boiled over after a dive from Cole, which led to a ruckus in which Jamie Carragher and Drogba were booked.
Cole, who had already been booked and subsequently warned several times, was extremely lucky to stay on the field. How ironic then that the diminutive Cockney sealed the points for Chelsea with 25 minutes to go capitalising on more good work from Drogba to tap the ball home.
Riise volleyed over and a fine piece of skill from Peter Crouch gave him a chance to finally open his Liverpool account, but he blazed high over the bar as the Reds sought an unlikely comeback with Chelsea packing their own box.
But Liverpool's gamble with three at the back failed as Chelsea made it an almost embarrassing four with eight minutes to go thanks to their third tap-in, this time substitute Geremi getting on the end of Robben's mis-placed shot.