Liverpool-born Ross Barkley helped dump the Reds out the FA Cup as Chelsea booked a spot in the quarter-finals with a 2-0 victory.
The Blues took the lead in the 13th minute through Willian, although he was helped by a mistake by Liverpool goalkeeper Adrian.
The Spaniard had produced two fine saves to deny Ross Barkley and Willian earlier in the match. However, Fabinho gifted the ball to Willian just 20 yards from his own goal, with the Chelsea winger firing straight at Adrian who could only palm the effort into the net.
At Stamford Bridge, Kepa justified his starting position in goal after denying Sadio Mane, Divock Origi and Curtis Jones in a terrific triple save.
That proved pivotal as Barkey struck after the break to wrap up victory for the home side.
Here's how they rated:
Chelsea
Kepa 7
Shrugged off insult of being cup keeper with a string of decent saves
Azpilicueta 6
Had an early header flash just wide but steady in his main defensive job
Rudiger 6
Made an early error and defended at full stretch for most of the time
Zouma 7
Another defender who took a little time to find his feet in the contest
Alonso 6
Close with a free-kick but mainly confined to duties in the rearguard action
Gilmour 8
Plenty of evidence to remind everyone he is genuine star of the future
Kovacic 6
Had been steady until succumbing to injury just before half-time
Barkley 9
Took predictable stick from the travelling fans which inspired him to a new height
Willian 7
Safe to say he can strike a shot with some considerable venom
Pedro 7
Enjoyed plenty of room down the left flank but did not always make the most of it. One glaring second half miss
Giroud 6
Typically robust and intelligent in hold-up situations but getting a little slower
Subs: Mount (Kovacic 42 mins) 6, Jorginho (Willian 50 mins) 6, James (Giroud 90 mins)
Liverpool
Adrian 5
Had made a couple of good stops before throwing in Chelsea ’s opener
Williams 5
Plenty of undoubted promise but was given a thorough test
Van Dijk 6
Did his best to hold a defence that looked anything but solid together
Gomez 6
A bit rusty and played a minor role in the concession of the opener
Robertson 6
Asked to go to the well once more and, as usual, left nothing out there
Fabinho 6
Another who was partially culpable in allowing the Chelsea breakthrough
Lallana 6
Always probing and looking to be a goal threat but occasionally cut a frustrated figure
Jones 6
Found this level a little bit tougher than previous assignments but got more and more influential
Minamino 5
Still adjusting to the pace of this sort of frantic contest
Mane 7
Always a major danger and always getting into threatening positions
Origi 6
Not quite sure if he suited a role that saw him mainly operating down the left
Subs: Firmino (Origi 70 mins 6) 6, Milner (Jones 70 mins 6) 6, Salah (Lallana 80 mins)
