Chelsea boosted their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League with a 3-1 victory over champions Liverpool at Stamford Bridge. 

Enzo Fernandez and Cole Palmer were on target as Enzo Maresca's side consolidated their place in the Premier League's top five. 

Fernandez struck after just three minutes, controlling Pedro Neto's low cross before slotting past Alisson.

The Blues doubled their lead in fortuitous fashion in the 58th minute, when Virgil van Dijk's attempted clearance ricocheted off Jarrell Quansah and into his own net.

Van Dijk gave the Reds hope five minutes from time when he powered home a header from Alexis Mac Allister's corner.

However, Chelsea put the contest to bed with virtually the last kick of the game, as Cole Palmer slotted home from the penalty spot after Quansah felled Moises Caicedo.

Data Debrief: Reds slip up as Palmer ends drought

Liverpool are only the fourth team to lose their first league game after they were crowned Premier League champions after Arsenal in 1997-98 (against Liverpool), Chelsea in 2005-06 (against Blackburn) and the Reds themselves in 2019-20 (against Manchester City).

They came unstuck against an inspired Chelsea, who have now won seven of their last eight league games at Stamford Bridge.

Fernandez got the ball rolling after just two minutes and 47 seconds with the Blues' earliest league goal on home soil since Antonio Rudiger netted 14 seconds earlier against Stoke City in December 2017.

Van Dijk gave Liverpool hope with his 13th headed goal from a corner in the Premier League; a tally only bettered by John Terry (19) and Dion Dublin (14).

However, Palmer had the final word as he rounded off an impressive display, during which he registered the most shots (five), most chances created (four), joint-most passes into the final third (13) and joint-most touches in the opposing box (eight) of any Chelsea player.

After 1,162 minutes, the England international finally found the net in the Premier League once more, as he calmly beat Alisson from 12 yards.