Though those who travelled to West London might not be overly happy with a less-than-acceptable performance, the Reds were never going to be at it in the same way as they had been prior to winning the title.
Frankly, they could lose every league game between now and the end of the 2024/25 season, and it wouldn't change a thing.
The only real issues at this stage are of professional pride and potentially being seen to take the supporters for a ride.
Chelsea were good value for their win over Liverpool
Chelsea's fans have had their own problems with the team and management too, but the Blues were good value for their 3-1 win.
In so doing, they became the first team to win two Premier League games against teams that have already been confirmed as the title winners, having also beaten Manchester United in May 2013 (1-0).
The opening goal from Enzo Fernandez (2:47) was also the second earliest conceded by a team in their first game after they were crowned Premier League champions, behind Theo Walcott's second minute goal for Arsenal against Manchester United in April 2013 (1:43).
A defeat for the Reds meant they were just the fourth team to lose their first league game after they were crowned Premier League champions, after Arsenal in 1997/98 (vs Liverpool), Chelsea in 2005/06 (vs Blackburn) and the Reds themselves in 2019/20 (vs Manchester City).
To put Chelsea's win into perspective, not since March 2021 (1-0 in the Premier League) had they beaten Liverpool, ending a run of 10 games without a win against the Reds in all competitions (D7 L3).
The three points will be a real boost in their push for a Champions League place, of course. And, at close of play, Enzo Maresca's side found themselves in fifth, level on points with fourth-placed Newcastle and just a point behind Manchester City in third.
As if to evidence just how tight the race for Europe is, Nottingham Forest are just one place and three points behind Chelsea, but with a game in hand. Aston Villa are on 60 points, the same as Forest.
With three games left to play for the majority of those teams, any points earned are likely to be significant. Indeed, it's all to play for right up until the final whistle of the final game.
Palmer was impressive throughout
For Cole Palmer, the match represented a chance to end his goalscoring drought. And that he did, with his penalty closing a run of 1,162 minutes without a goal in the Premier League (his last came against Bournemouth in January).
With the most shots (five), most chances created (four), joint-most passes ending in the final third (13), and joint-most touches in the opposition box (eight) showed that the England international was in fine form throughout.
It's also worth recognising that only Liverpool (44) and Manchester City (39) have won more Premier League points at home this season than Chelsea (38 – W11 D5 L2), who have won seven of their last eight league games at Stamford Bridge (D1).
For all of the noise surrounding Enzo Maresca's continued employment at the club, that's a record that any manager would be proud of.
Lavia and Caicedo showed Liverpool what they were missing
Two of his players, Romeo Lavia and Moises Caicedo, had the opportunity to join Liverpool, of course, but both famously turned Jurgen Klopp down.
Back in August 2023, the Reds shook the football world when making a British record £111m bid for Caicedo, with the player suggesting some months after that he'd already made up his mind to join Chelsea and Liverpool were 'too late' with their interest.
With Lavia, the situation was slightly different,t given that Liverpool had already agreed a £60m fee with Southampton, but he too wanted the move to Chelsea over Klopp's side.
In opposition to them on Sunday, both players acquitted themselves well.
For example, Lavia's 100% pass completion (23 passes all finding their target) and Caicedo's 93.9% were by far the best from Chelsea's starting XI and arguably a big reason why the hosts retained a dominance over their visitors for much of the game.
It was just the 13th game this season for Lavia after an 18-month period where he struggled badly with injuries since making his move, but his calmness and authority on the ball suggest he will be a mainstay for his manager.
Possession won in the final third on two separate occasions wasn't surpassed on the day by any player on either side, and his excellence at holding the fort in front of the Chelsea defence meant that his midfield colleague could get forward at every opportunity.
Blues have to follow their midfielders' lead in 2025/26
Caicedo's eight passes in the final third were only surpassed by Palmer and Noni Madueke. The Ecuadorian's three tackles won were the joint-most in the team, as were his five clearances.
11 duels attempted and eight won put him at the top of the standings too, in what was, for all intents and purposes, an all-action display.
Of course, both could've been wearing Red by now, and they may also be looking at what might've been given that Arne Slot's first season couldn't have gone any better, whilst Chelsea are still struggling with their identity.
If the Blues don't make it into the Champions League again, Enzo Maresca's services may no longer be required. Such a decision might well put Chelsea even further back in terms of development, whereas Liverpool appear to be going from strength to strength.
For Lavia, Caicedo and their teammates, regardless of the scenario in the dugout next season, there can be no more excuses.
If the team are to be playing in the rarified air of the Champions League next season and genuinely challenging for the title, then they need to follow the lead of the midfield duo in terms of performance levels such as was shown against the champions.
In the Premier League, Chelsea next face Newcastle on May 11th.
