The race for Champions League qualification was thrown back open after centre forward Olivier Giroud’s first-half header for Chelsea inflicted a damaging defeat on Liverpool.

The European finalists started the brighter, but quickly sunk after France international Giroud rose to flick in Nigeria wing-back Victor Moses’ 32nd-minute cross.

The result, the Reds’ fifth Premier League loss of 2017/18, means Chelsea can draw level with them if they win Wednesday’s game in hand against relegation-battlers Huddersfield Town. This will take the fight – that also includes Tottenham Hotspur – down to a last-day shootout.

Here are our Chelsea player ratings:

CHELSEA (3-5-1-1)

Thibaut Courtois – 6: Would have expected to be a lot busier than he was after Liverpool’s vibrant start. Forced into just five stops.

Cesar Azpilicueta – 7: The consummate professional continues to set high standards. Put the shackles on Senegal forward Sadio Mane.

Gary Cahill – 7: The club captain performed well on his sixth-successive start. Made an impressive eight clearances.

Antonio Rudiger – 8: At least one former Roma defender was paying attention in training last season, it seems. Monstered ex-team-mate Mohamed Salah, making a leading 10 clearances.

Victor Moses – 8: The ex-Liverpool loanee played with a real purpose. Set-up Giroud’s goal with a whipped cross and ran Scotland left-back Andrew Robertson into the ground.

Cesc Fabregas – 7: A willing conduit for passes and showed real quality when in possession. Led the way with 51 passes, 13 more than any other team-mate. A mundane season, by his standards, is coming good.

N’Golo Kante – 8: The ubiquitous France defensive midfielder covered every blade of grass and took full advantage of Liverpool’s weariness. His eight interceptions was four more than anyone else in blue.

Tiemoue Bakayoko – 7: One of the disappointing summer addition’s better displays. Must make run-outs like this the norm, going forward.

Marcos Alonso – 7: The Spain left wing-back was back in the team after suspension. Adds defensive diligence and a serious attacking threat – one fierce second-half shot fizzed just wide.

Eden Hazard – 8: Conte’s continued utilisation of a tweaked 3-5-1-1 formation bears fruit whenever Hazard is in this mood. Made seven dribbles – six more than any other team-mate.

Olivier Giroud – 7: Nodded in Chelsea’s 16th headed goal of this Premier League campaign. Showed deftness to place his effort home. Beasted Croatia centre-back Dejan Lovren. Cahill’s leading six aerials won was just one more than Giroud.

SUBS

Willian – N/A: Given enough time to have one touch.

Davide Zappacosta – N/A: Replaced the superb Moses with two minutes left.

Pedro – N/A: Thrown on to waste time well past the 90-minute mark.