Chelsea 0 Liverpool 1: AN HEIRLOOM can become so fragile over time that each new generation inherits it with mounting trepidation. Perhaps they wish secretly that it were not their responsibility. Luiz Felipe Scolari happened to be in charge when Chelsea's magnificent run of 86 matches without defeat at home in the Premier League ended.

Victory for Liverpool was fully deserved, as is their place at the top of the table. Whatever Chelsea make of the outcome, the visitors gave another indication that they may become champions of England for the first time since 1990.

This piece of evidence clicks into place beside the comeback against Manchester United at Anfield last month. This game made fewer demands. The margin of victory might have been wider, Rafael Benitez's side almost doubling their lead after 62 minutes when Xabi Alonso's free-kick hit a post.

Ashley Cole ought to be relieved that he did not receive a second caution from the referee, Howard Webb, for a foul on the substitute Ryan Babel. The left-back was to suffer nonetheless, scything wide a knockdown from the substitute Franco Di Santo after 73 minutes.

Otherwise Chelsea lacked menace. Javier Mascherano embodied the excellence of a Liverpool midfield that both parried and made sharp thrusts of its own.

They merited a sleeker goal, although the winner is in no danger of being disowned. In the 10th minute Alvaro Arbeloa's throw-in was headed on by the remarkably industrious Dirk Kuyt and into the path of Alonso. The Spaniard's shot from the edge of the area broke off Jose Bosingwa to wrong-foot Petr Cech.

This was Liverpool's first Premier League goal at this stadium under Benitez. That must be viewed as more than an accident. Some will remain doubtful whether there is the quality in depth to tide the club over in a long campaign fought on several fronts, but the injury to a key performer, in Fernando Torres, has not undone them. It was their opponents who were limited here.

Despite the early goal leaving great stretches of time for recovery, no momentum was achieved by Chelsea. They have been counting on the movement and passing in midfield that shreds the opposition, but Liverpool are about as well equipped as a side can be to counter that approach. Scolari has no alternative method to unsettle the opposition. With Nicolas Anelka as the one experienced forward available, defenders are not apprehensive.

Chelsea have cut loose in this campaign against teams who were incapable of halting their build-up play, but in fixtures of this calibre Scolari will suffer from time to time if there are no credible alternatives in attack.

The Brazilian is reduced to offering estimates as to the recovery time Didier Drogba will need after knee and ankle problems; after this defeat it was put at 10 days. Some are still to be persuaded that he will ever be in perfect condition again.

Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon recently ruled out signings in January, saying: "There isn't any need." Scolari had better hope this is merely a negotiating tactic.

They may have cut loose on several occasions but higher-order rivals understand how to check them. A defeat such as this could have been foreseen last month when it took Salomon Kalou's 80th-minute leveller to prevent Manchester United from making off with full points.

If there is any marginal benefit for Chelsea in the wake of these events, it may be that they will be spared some of the attention that is habitually trained upon them, whereas Liverpool can prepare for a more intense scrutiny.

Incrementally, the Anfield squad has been upgraded and, for instance, the arrival of Albert Riera on the left of midfield has improved the balance. Moreover, the established strengths are intact. When Deco burrowed deep into the penalty area after 76 minutes, the block challenge from Jamie Carragher was characteristically resolute.

Benitez, for his part, is no novice. When Scolari shoved John Terry into attack as time petered out, Liverpool countered by bringing on an extra centre-back in Sami Hyypia.

If Liverpool are viewed as real contenders for the title, though, they will have to deal with the expectations heaped upon them and a rising intensity in the challenge they will meet.

Scolari has been more admired by neutrals more than any of the predecessors who have overseen the unbeaten run because of the elegant football he demands. Yet the record has ended on his watch. Regardless of concerns about the forward line, he is bound to start again without compromising a vision that will be to his credit and that of Chelsea.