Chelsea’s EPL title defence hangs by a thread after they lost at home to Liverpool in a game surrounded by striker Fernando Torres’s move from visitors to hosts.

In the event, Torres was a non-event and Chelsea mustered only one shot on-target, losing out thanks to a glaring defensive error.

Chances were at a premium with Liverpool’s defensive formation snuffing out Chelsea’s expensively-assembled strike force.

Jamie Carragher excellently blocked Torres’s one worthwhile effort on 31 minutes.

And Liverpool should have led in the 33rd minute, only for Maxi Rodriguez to hit the crossbar of an open goal, three yards out, from Steven Gerrard’s left-wing cross.

Just before half-time, Chelsea keeper Petr Cech and defender Branislav Ivanovic had  an on-field spat after colliding as they dealt with a ball into the box.

The warning wasn’t heeded. And on 69 minutes they let a Gerrard cross from the right pass between them to Raul Meireles, who applied a fine left-foot finish from eight yards at the far post.

Substitute Florent Malouda, a minute after coming on, had Chelsea’s only on-target effort blocked by Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina on 72 minutes.

While Cech saved substitute Fabio Aurelio’s rising left-foot drive on 81 minutes.