Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers described the tactics deployed by Jose Mourinho as 'parking two buses' after Chelsea beat Liverpool 2-0 at Anfield to blow the title race wide open.
The injury-hit Blues frustrated the Premier League leaders with a backs-against-the-wall performance which halted Liverpool's 11 game winning streak.
A mistake by Steven Gerrard allowed Demba Ba in for the opener in at the end of the first half, and with seconds remaining Willian added a second on the breakaway to end the league leaders' stunning run of wins.
Chelsea moved to within two points of the summit but Manchester City, after their win at Crystal Palace, still with a match in hand and a superior goal difference, are probably the favourites three points behind Liverpool.
Rodgers admitted Chelsea's stifling tactics made it tough for Liverpool, with the visitors employing every trick in the book to slow down play, causing the usually free-scoring Reds to run out of ideas.
"I think there were two buses parked today, never mind one," Rodgers said on Sky Sports.
'It was like a back six with three midfield players in front of that. That's 10, with the goalkeeper, for 90 minutes consistently behind the ball.
"Unless you get that early goal, it doesn't entice them to come out. It was clear that they'd come certainly not wanting to win the game, with the time-wasting and whatnot."
Rodgers later added: "It is totally opposite to how we want to play. It is not difficult to coach, putting 10 players on the edge of the 18-yard box.
"They got booked for time-wasting in the 92nd minute but I think everyone could see from the first whistle that was their plan - to frustrate."
Liverpool v Chelsea - player ratings
But, speaking this morning on Wake Up London, Standard Sport editor Tim Nichols believes that Mourinho and his team deserve more credit for what he described as a 'vintage' away performance.
