Liverpool slip to fifth after defeat at Stamford Bridge

Liverpool have slipped to fifth place in the Premier League after losing 2-1 at Chelsea – their second defeat in three days.

The Reds took the lead on three minutes through Martin Skrtel, before goals from top scorer Eden Hazard and Samuel Eto’o swung the game in favour of the hosts before the break, and that is how the score remained.

Chelsea stay third, one point behind Manchester City, who edged past a resurgent Crystal Palace 1-0 at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, and a further point behind Arsenal who beat Newcastle United by the same score-line at St James’ Park yesterday.

Everton moved into fourth place with victory over Southampton while Liverpool, who topped the table just four days ago have slipped to fifth.

Brendan Rodgers’ men will now turn their attention to the New Year’s Day visit of a Hull City side who beat them just four weeks ago, before hosting Oldham Athletic in the third round of the FA Cup on Sunday.

It will be the third time in the years they have faced the Latics in the cup January. They beat them 5-1 at Anfield in the third round two years ago before being knocked out by them a round later at Boundary Park in the 2012/13 campaign.

They then return to league action with a trip to Stoke City seven days later before ending the month with home games against Aston Villa and Everton.