Stalemate as Chelsea vs Liverpool ends in 1-1 draw

In a game that won’t live long in the memory, Liverpool are now effectively out of the running for the fourth and final Champions League spot barring a miracle, after a 1-1 draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Newly crowned Champions Chelsea couldn't have wished for a better start when after 4 minutes Captain John Terry rose highest to head the ball beyond Simon Mignolet from a corner.

The game ebbed and flowed following the opener with neither side able to create any real chances of note, with Liverpool having the better of the play.

In a must win game for Liverpool to have any chance of a top four finish, they started sluggishly and Chelsea looked every bit worthy Champions after the early exchanges.

Liverpool improved as the half went on and had efforts from Phillipe Coutinho and Glen Johnson being saved and missing the target as they tried to find a way back into the game.

The frustration was evident with yellow cards being shown to Adam Lallana, Martin Skrtel and Rickie Lambert in quick succession midway through the first half.

However after 43 minutes Steven Gerrard headed home Jordan Henderson’s free-kick at the back post making the score line 1-1 just before half time, his second headed goal in as many games. The abuse Gerrard had received from Chelsea fans will have made the goal all the more satisfying to the Reds skipper.

The second half began in a similar manor to how the first played out with little in the way of chances being created by either side, just pop shots that rarely threatened either goal.

Willian and Coutinho had low shots that just evaded the target for their respective sides, as both Jose Mourinho and Brendan Rodgers looked to find a formula to win the match, which meant little to Chelsea and much more to Liverpool.

Mourinho obviously sensed Liverpool’s attacking threat as he brought on Nemanja Matic for the impressive young Englishman Ruben Loftus-Cheek on 60 minutes. Matic being the standout defensive midfielder in the Premier League this season.

The rhythm of the encounter didn't change much as Fabregas forged the best chance of the half for Chelsea after 73 minutes, breaking into the box but only managing to shoot straight at Mignolet. He then had a shot blocked by Skrtel three minutes later.

The draw left Liverpool six points behind Manchester United in fourth with two matches to go; consequently a Europa League place beckons barring a huge turn of events.