(CNN)Liverpool ended Antonio Conte's unbeaten start as Chelsea manager with an impressive 2-1 victory in Friday's English Premier League clash in London.
The home team's sluggish start was punished in emphatic fashion, as first-half goals from Dejan Lovren and Jordan Henderson established a commanding lead at Stamford Bridge, before Diego Costa reduced the deficit with half an hour to play.
It was satisfying of course, the first half especially was brilliant -- we played football like hell," Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp told UK broadcaster Sky Sports after his side went level on 10 points with third-placed Chelsea.
"Everybody that has played against Chelsea knows it's difficult -- they are organized.
"We were quick of mind after set pieces and deserved our lead. Before halftime we had moments where Chelsea played better, but because we stopped playing football.
The second half we did well after they scored the goal, it was deeper passionate defending."
Liverpool was dealt a substantial blow before the match, as Roberto Firmino -- its star of the season so far -- was ruled out with a groin injury.
But with one Brazilian down, another stepped up to create the first goal.
As Chelsea's players switched off after conceding a foul, James Milner and Philippe Coutinho combined down the left, before "The Magician" conjured up a pinpoint cross to find Lovren at the far post.
Without a goal since his winning header in last season'sepic Europa League comeback against Borussia Dortmund, the Croatian defender cushioned the ball on the half volley to guide it into the far corner and past the despairing dive of Thibault Courtois.
If the home fans hoped that goal would be the moment to spark a subdued Chelsea side to life, then they would be doubly disappointed not long later.
The Blues remained disorganized, slow to react and were second to every ball -- so unlike the teams former Juventus and Italy coach Conte has molded over the years.
With just 10 minutes of the first half remaining, the ball fell at Henderson's feet 30 yards from goal; a seemingly harmless position.
However, the England midfielder coolly shifted the ball onto his right foot and proceeded to curl an exquisite strike past Courtois' outstretched arm and into the top corner.
With a stony-faced Conte stood on the touchline, a halftime scolding was undoubtedly on the cards -- and Chelsea did start the second period much brighter.
Despite an increase in possession, Chelsea had few -- if any -- clear-cut chances to speak of, until Nemanja Matic took the game by the scruff of the neck.
After a powerful, surging run from midfield, the Serbian exchanged passes with Eden Hazard and delicately picked out Costa inside the six-yard box.
The Premier League's top scorer, who had the fewest touches of any player in the first half, duly obliged and prodded the ball over the line to halve the deficit with his fifth league goal of the season.