There’s always something special about beating Liverpool, and it has a lot to do with the Reds’ superiority complex.

While Scousers bleat on about other clubs not having any history, the irony seems to be lost that a glittering past can actually be a millstone round the neck; a golden backstory that merely serves to highlight how thin the modern era has been.

It was a familiar tale at Stamford Bridge – the visiting fans lustily singing about the glory of yesteryear and taking particular glee in chanting about plastic flags… the symbol that they believe sums up nouveau riche Chelsea’s transient phase of success.

The problem for Liverpool is that ‘brief’ successful phase has now spanned two decades, and counting, and the Reds last won the league when Margaret Thatcher was prime minister.

In the baking sun of SW6, Chelsea had one of their best games of 2018, with a lot of the less eye-catching players of recent months turning in excellent performances.

Antonio Rudiger, Tiemoue Bakayoko and Victor Moses all had very good games, neutralising Liverpool’s attack of Mo Salah, Sadio Mane and Robbie Firmino, while Olivier Giroud continued his purple patch, glancing a Moses cross past Loris Karius in the 32nd minute.

From then on, the Blues defended well and played the possession game to see out a match in which the Reds were hassled and harried at every opportunity.

Eden Hazard dazzled, Marcos Alonso – back from suspension – played a full and vigorous part, and N’Golo Kante linked up superbly with Cesc Fabregas in the centre to break down counter-attacks and launch Chelsea’s own.

All in all, a very good day at the office.

The Blues are in action again at home on Wednesday for the last game of the season at Stamford Bridge, barring the legends game on the night before the cup final. https://www.chelseafc.com/legends for ticket news.