Analysis: McFarlane stops the bleeding

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This was the upturn in performance Chelsea badly needed.

After a six-match losing run in the league, this felt like a small step in the right direction.

Fan protests are planned on Wembley Way before next weekend's FA Cup final against Manchester City, but at least Chelsea will not go into that game on the back of another defeat.

If the losing cycle had continued at Anfield, it would have meant Chelsea suffering seven consecutive league defeats for only the second time in their history, and for the first time for 74 years.

They would also have become the first team in English football history to lose seven matches heading into an FA Cup final.

It was crucial, therefore, to stem the bleeding in a bleak spell that has already cost former head coach Liam Rosenior his job.

Monday's 3-1 defeat by a second-string Nottingham Forest side was a dismal way for interim head coach Calum McFarlane to mark his first league match in charge.

McFarlane can, however, point to a number of positives. He earned his first victory of this second spell in charge in the FA Cup semi-final against Leeds at Wembley and, now at Anfield - albeit against another side struggling for form - his selection decisions were largely vindicated.

The return of centre-back Levi Colwill, making his first appearance for 10 months, coincided with Chelsea switching to a back three for just the third time this season.

Chelsea conceded from Liverpool's first shot of the match and briefly lost their way, but they recovered to equalise deservedly.

It was not a vintage performance, but it was an improvement and something to build on. The decision to focus attacks down the left through Marc Cucurella paid dividends, Cole Palmer showed signs of rediscovering form within the system, and it helped Chelsea manage an attacking injury crisis, with four wingers currently out.

Chelsea remain just about in the hunt for European football, though there is plenty of work to do in their remaining two Premier League matches.

More importantly, they now have something to cling to before the cup final, even if Pep Guardiola's Manchester City side remain strong favourites.