Liverpool have delivered a statement to their Premiership rivals with victory at Chelsea, says manager Rafa Benitez. Xabi Alonso's first-half strike ended Chelsea's 86-game unbeaten home run and keeps Liverpool clear at the top of the table.

"To win here and stay top of the table unbeaten is a massive message for the other teams," declared Benitez.

"It was a massive game and to come here with the mentality we had and with the players showing the character they did, it was a big boost for the rest of the season.

"We have belief, we have quality and we have shown by coming from behind in other games this season, that we have character. At least this is enough to be top of the table for now.

"But we need three points in our next game against Portsmouth if we are going to keep this mentality.

"We can go to any stadium and win games. Today, against a very good team, a very offensive team, we showed we were thinking about winning.

"The players know what to do and it is difficult for the opposition to create chances. Chelsea had some chances but their final pass was not the best on occasions.

"They didn't have too many chances. My players were really good and all credit to them. When you have players with quality and they work so hard, you have a winning team.

"But we have to come down and start thinking about Portsmouth. We knew it was important to beat Manchester United but then we drew with Stoke.

"But clearly if you want to stay at the top of the table for a long time you have to beat almost everyone because Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal will be behind you."