Chelsea took a giant step towards qualifying for the semi finals of the Champions League tie with a stunning performance away to Liverpool to secure a comfortable 3-1 win on Wednesday.

Liverpool started the game as favorites to secure a win against their Premier League rivals and were soon in the lead when Alvaro Arbeloa curled a low cross for Fernando Torres to slot home from close range in the 6th minute.

Didier Drogba had a great chance to pull his side level minutes later after being played through by Salomon Kalou but Pepe Reina raced forward to snatch the ball from the Ivory Coast striker. After a string of misses, the visitors finally pulled level six minutes before half time when Branislav Ivanovic headed home Florent Malouda's free kick thanks to some poor defending by Liverpool.

Drogba almost doubled the lead minutes into the second half only for Jamie Carragher to clear off the line. However it was not long before Chelsea were in the lead with Ivanovic once again taking full advantage of Liverpool's reluctance to man-mark during corners, this time Frank Lampard supplying the ball for the Serbian international to head home from close range.

Liverpool pressed forward in search of an equalizer but were hit on the counter when Drogba finally managed to score, Malouda turning creating with a low cross for the Chelsea striker who made no mistake from close range.

Chelsea could have had won with a bigger margin but manager Guus Hiddink will be delighted his side's performance who should now progress comfortably to the next round.