Recalled Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalga pulled off a stunning triple save as Willian and Ross Barkley’s strikes condemned Liverpool to a third defeat in four matches.
Under-fire stopper Kepa seized the chance to reassert his worth to boss Frank Lampard as Chelsea battled to a fine 2-0 FA Cup fifth-round win at Stamford Bridge.
Only two weeks ago runaway Premier League leaders Liverpool had lost just twice in 41 matches in all competitions this season.
Fast forward 14 days and Jurgen Klopp’s Reds have surrendered their rampant form, with defeat at Atletico Madrid, a 3-0 humbling at Watford and now this hefty blow in west London.
But there can be no doubt either that the exacting Klopp will be fuming with this faltering form.
Chelsea emerged worthy winners to storm into the quarter-finals but were left to count an ever-increasing injury toll, with Mateo Kovacic and Willian the latest Stamford Bridge stars to pull up with problems.
Manager Lampard will be boosted enormously, though, by a virtuoso turn from 18-year-old Scottish midfielder Billy Gilmour.
The teen sensation more than merited his inclusion in a performance of poise and maturity, digging out his defence as often as threading killer passes.
Chelsea battled their way to a 1-0 lead at half-time, with the resurgent Kepa keeping the Blues afloat.
Willian had hardly finished kicking himself for firing straight at Adrian when he found the ball back at his feet on the edge of the Liverpool area.
Joe Gomez’s loose pass had Fabinho at full stretch and the Brazil midfielder could only prod desperately square – inadvertently teeing up his compatriot.
Willian latched onto the gift and stubbed another strike on goal, and another straight down Adrian’s throat. The 33-year-old Spanish keeper should have saved with ease, but could only fumble the ball into the net.
To add insult to injury, Chelsea’s under-fire keeper Kepa then jumped back to top form. The Spain star’s triple save to deny Mane, Origi and Curtis Jones proved just as pivotal in assuring Chelsea’s interval lead as Willian’s fortunate strike.
The luck that kept Lampard’s men ahead at the break did not extend to the injury front however, as Kovacic hobbled off in a worrying new fitness concern.
And no sooner had the second half begun than Willian left the field in some distress too.
The Blues continued in the same vein and Barkley conjured a sumptuous break and finish to solidify the home side’s dominance
West Brom 2-3 Newcastle
A brace from Miguel Almiron helped Newcastle reach the last eight for the first time since 2006 as they survived a late scare to beat Championship leaders West Brom 3-2.
Almiron opened the scoring shortly after the half hour mark at The Hawthorns with a composed left-foot finish after being played in by the influential Allan Saint-Maximin, who had earlier hit the post from 25 yards.
A speculative back-heel by Joelinton set up Almiron to slam home his second on the stroke of half-time and victory was seemingly assured two minutes into the second half when Baggies goalkeeper Jonathan Bond palmed a cross straight into Valentino Lazaro and back into an empty net.
Matt Phillips pulled a goal back on 74 minutes and substitute Kenneth Zohore made it 3-2 with seconds remaining, but Steve Bruce’s side held on.
