LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND (REUTERS) - Chelsea reclaimed their place in the Premier League's top four as Mason Mount's superb first-half goal earned them an impressive 1-0 victory at champions Liverpool on Thursday (March 4).

Mount cut in to curl a low shot past Liverpool keeper Alisson in the 42nd minute, after Timo Werner had had a goal disallowed, to give Chelsea a deserved halftime lead.

Thomas Tuchel's side then showed great defensive discipline to stand firm in the second period as Liverpool improved.

"I am very, very happy with the performance. It was clear we needed a complete performance in all aspects of the game," he said. "We did this, we were very brave with the ball and never lost intensity with the ball.

"We were always aggressive and very brave. This was the key. It was a top team performance and a deserved win. When you arrive in a match like this, you cannot overthink it. We managed all situations very, very well."

Liverpool, who substituted a disgruntled Mohamed Salah in the second half, struggled to carve out clear chances as they slipped to a club-record fifth successive home league defeat, having gone unbeaten in their previous 68 games at Anfield.

"Unfortunately, we cannot say it is only at home," Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said. "It is not about Anfield or whatever, it is in general, too often. In the decisive moments, we have to improve.

"We have to show our quality in these moment and we don't do that often enough.

"It is a massive blow. It is not done yet. We have to win football games."

Chelsea, still unbeaten since Tuchel replaced Frank Lampard in January, have 47 points from 27 games, one more than Everton who had briefly gone fourth by beating West Bromwich Albion.

Liverpool's title defence is in tatters and Juergen Klopp's side have slumped to seventh spot with 43 points from 27 games.