For 88 minutes the headlines were writing themselves. The Only Winners This Weekend: Manchester United. An air of predictability engulfed Anfield.
What wasn't predictable about the first 88 minutes? The lack of goals was. The result was. The fact that the PGA golf over on Sky Sports 3 offered more entertainment was. This fixture had form, and it was predominantly bad.
All of a sudden two late strikes change the complexion of the score and tomorrow's headlines. But what did the goals change about the title-race? What sway, if any, will the result have on the end-of-season destination of the Premiership trophy?
The answer is most likely very little. The result may have prolonged Liverpool's challenge by a couple of weeks, it has probably effectively ended Chelsea's, but ultimately this is looking increasingly like Manchester United's title to lose.
This match offered the chance to make a statement, as United did in last month's 3-0 defeat of Chelsea, but neither side could manage more than a limp afterthought.
For 88 minutes Sir Alex Ferguson would have been chuckling away to himself had he broken his habit and decided to watch his title rivals in combat. By the final whistle, the chuckle may have ceased, but he'd be forgiven a small smile.
The truth is that for the vast majority of this game, Liverpool and Chelsea contrived to do what they seem to do best in these situations, and that's help United. We're talking about two teams who failed to win a single Premiership match while the champions were off in the far East before Christmas cementing their position as the greatest team on the planet. The initiative was left emphatically un-seized.
The fact remains that Liverpool, with the most fortuitous of numerical advantages, sneaked a win, nothing more. This was one occasion where they were able to land on the get-out-of-jail card late on. We have seen enough this season to suggest that in too many matches the search for that card will be in vain.
The late raid on the Chelsea goal will have altered headlines and the thrust of many an article. The media are desperate to manufacture interest at the top of the table, even when it appears to be ebbing away. But, it would be fickle to overlook the first 88 minutes of this game, and indeed their recent displays - 11 points from a possible 21 prior to this game.
No, the interest this season can be located below the top two - in the battle for the fourth Champions League spot and the relegation dogfight.
As for Lampard's sending off, we cannot know the effect that it had on this particular game, though it will not trouble Chelsea further once it has been recinded. What is for certain, is the absurdity of Mike Riley's decision. No interpretation of the laws of the game can justify this decision. As Lampard departed, so seemingly did his teams chances - they nearly got away with it today, but instead left that job to Liverpool.
The roar of the Kop as the late drama unfolded suggested they still believe. By all accounts the players do too. But they've yet to back up such genuine belief with genuine title-winning performances. This weekend's big winners? Manchester United.
