There was a particular moment in Chelsea’s loss to Liverpool that made little different to the end result, but may end up reflecting a considerable difference in the former’s season.

It came in the second half, when Frank Lampard’s side were very much in control and constantly on the attack, only to predictably prove themselves susceptible to a quick surge forward. Mohamed Salah broke at pace, for the kind of situation he’s become so accustomed to in his time during the Premier League.

It is also the kind of defensive situation Chelsea have become used to in their short time under Lampard.

The difference, however, was a crucial element Chelsea haven’t had enough of: N’Golo Kante.

It even led to a joke from Jurgen Klopp, given the player's recent injury issues: “Kante is always fit to play Liverpool!”

Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings Show all 24 1 /24 Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings CHELSEA: Asmir Begovic - 6 out of 10 Made several fine stops to deny Liverpool but couldn’t prevent Coutinho’s superb effort from squeezing past him just before the break. Was let down by his defence for the visitors’ two second-half goals. 2015 Getty Images Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings Kurt Zouma - 5 out of 10 Did well to stop the threat of Lallana and Moreno on the left flank in the first half - putting his body on the line to prevent Lucas’ near-post header from going in - but began to be put under more pressure from Coutinho in the second period and began to struggle at right back. 2015 Catherine Ivill - AMA Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings Cesar Azpilicueta - 7 out of 10 Set up Ramires’ opener with a superb cross that came after he had outrun Milner. Had his work cut out with Clyne regularly pushing forwards but defended well enough. 2015 Getty Images Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings Gary Cahill - 5 out of 10 Combined well with Terry to protect Begovic and stop the threat of Firmino in the first half but should have done more to close in on Coutinho and Benteke when they went for goal in the second. 2015 Getty Images Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings John Terry - 4 out of 10 The Chelsea captain was back to his best against the Reds with some solid defending in the first half, but then let himself down when he didn’t do enough to stop Coutinho from his getting his shot at goal before allowing Benteke the space and time to fire in Liverpool’s third goal. 2015 Getty Images Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings Ramires - 7 out of 10 Headed in Chelsea’s opener to give the home side the lead, but was beaten too easily by Coutinho in the build-up to Liverpool’s equaliser and should have done more to close him down. Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings John Obi Mikel - 6 out of 10 Helped provide cover for Chelsea’s defence in the first half, but was later brought off after picking up a yellow card. 2015 Getty Images Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings Oscar - 5 out of 10 Spent the first half largely on the left flank and while he didn’t get involved in Chelsea’s attacking play as much, he did his job at helping to keep Milner at bay while dealing with Clyne’s runs forwards. But the second half saw him struggle to replicate his first-half showing with Liverpool pressing well. Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings Willian - 6 out of 10 Was so often the driving force of Chelsea’s attacking play with his pace and tricky runs but had less of an impact in the second period. 2015 Getty Images Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings Eden Hazard - 4 out of 10 Played largely down the middle and despite a bright start, saw his impact wane and was eventually brought off in the 58th minute for Kenedy. 2015 Getty Images Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings Diego Costa - 5 out of 10 Was controlled by Skrtel and Sakho throughout the game and rarely proved a threat for the home side. He did well to head the ball off the line in second half but disappointed up front for Chelsea. 2015 Getty Images Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings From the bench: Kenedy - 5 out of 10 Within seconds of coming on, he threatened to score but hit his shot into the side netting. Didn't do much else of note GETTY IMAGES Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings LIVERPOOL: Simon Mignolet - 6 out of 10 May feel he could have done more to keep out Ramires’ opener but dealt with the rest of his tests well. 2015 AMA Sports Photo Agency Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings Nathaniel Clyne - 7 out of 10 Was one of Liverpool’s best sources of attacking play in the first half down the right flank, and was unlucky not to have been given a first-half penalty when his shot hit Terry’s arm. Defended well at right-back and was one of Liverpool’s best players on the pitch. 2015 AMA Sports Photo Agency Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings Martin Skrtel - 6 out of 10 llowed Azpilicueta to get his shot in to set up Ramires for the opener but, aside from that mistake, was superb to ensure Costa did not prove a threat for the home side. 2015 Liverpool FC Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings Mamadou Sakho - 7 out of 10 Like Skrtel, the centre-back used his physical presence to shackle Costa throughout the game. 2015 Getty Images Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings Alberto Moreno - 7 out of 10 Was outmuscled by Ramires in build-up to opener and will feel he could have done better, but he defended well at left-back while nearly getting a shot at goal in the second half following a fine run forwards. 2015 Liverpool FC Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings Lucas Leiva - 7 out of 10 Received a yellow for a challenge on Mikel, but the Brazilian worked tirelessly in the middle of the park to snuff out attacks and try and create some for the visitors. Saw an effort at goal cleared by Begovic. 2015 Getty Images Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings Emre Can - 6 out of 10 Looked frustrated by not being able to control the game in the first half and found himself escaping a yellow although he eventually got one for pulling back Willian. Despite an up-and-down first period marked by some sloppy passing, the midfielder came out from the break in better form and worked hard to keep a lid on the likes of Hazard and Willian. 2015 Getty Images Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings James Milner - 6 out of 10 Should have done more to stop Azpilicueta from getting past him and setting up Ramires for the opening goal, but he grew into the game and began giving Chelsea problems with his forays forwards. 2015 Getty Images Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings Adam Lallana - 6 out of 10 Tested Begovic with a few shots in the first half with his pace proving crucial in helping the visitors build up attacks from the right flank and also carried out his defensive duties well – making a superb clearance to deny Zouma in the second half. 2015 Getty Images Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings Philippe Coutinho - 9 out of 10 Scored both of Liverpool’s goals –the first after weaving his way into space and getting past Ramires to net a brilliant solo effort before then scoring the winner in the 73rd minute. Was Liverpool’s star man. 2015 Getty Images Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings Roberto Firmino - 7 out of 10 After a relatively quiet opening period in which he kept dropping deep to try and find the ball, the forward provided the assist for Coutinho’s opener in the dying seconds of the first half. He was brought off for Benteke in the latter stages of the game, but Klopp will see the Brazilian’s showing as positive going forwards. 2015 Liverpool FC Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings From the bench: Christian Benteke - 8 out of 10 Secured the win with his well-taken goal from Ibe’s cross after being brought on as a second-half substitute. Proved the impact change from Klopp.

And he was certainly fit enough to catch up, and beat, Salah. Although the Egyptian was just eating up the open space in front of him in that ominous manner that usually preludes a precise finish, Kante got around him, nicked the ball and won it.

Danger averted. Again.

This might have been typical Kante, but it emphasises an untypical situation, and is now of far more importance than one missed opportunity.

It is because the way Chelsea play means they are going to offer up that specific opportunity a lot. It's already been repeatedly illustrated this season.

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And there’s going to be a lot of onus on Kante to cut them out. It’s just as well he’s capable of it, but may have lead to a situation even he seemed incapable of.

It may well reflect how his importance to a team has actually only grown - and this isn’t even down the fact he is the only prime world-class player left after the departure of Eden Hazard. It is because he is so fundamental to Lampard’s entire tactical plan.

There is an argument that it would be impossible to properly apply without him.

Kante, after all, essentially represents the totality of his manager’s defensive plan too.

Frank Lampard relies upon him heavily (EPA)

He is certainly the sole truly defensive part in a midfield shape, that - just like at Derby County - is inevitably going to give up a lot of space in behind due to the emphasis on high pressing.

Kante, however, is pretty much the perfect player to fill that space. He’s maybe the only player who can fill this space, or at least does it to that level.

His very presence just instantly solves so many problems.

That maybe even means that, relative to his team and how they play, he is now the most important player in the Premier League. Or at least the equal of Virgil van Dijk.

N'Golo Kante is Chelsea's kingpin (Getty)

They are the only players who feel so uniquely crucial to their side’s approach, where it just wouldn’t work in the same way without them; where there is no possible alternative. They're that distinctive. That good.

Lampard’s approach has thereby already emphasised Kante’s qualities even more. That relentless running, harrying and ball-winning has somehow become even more important.

And there was even more to his game here, because that running similarly set a greater tempo for Chelsea in the second half. It wasn’t just that Kante was filling gaps, it was that he was forcing them in the opposition. The rest of the Chelsea team started to rise to his level. The pressing intensified. It was from that, and that improved spell, that he scored a deserved goal.

Even for Kante, though, it’s impossible to fill every gap. Chelsea still have problems at set-pieces, which basically lost them this game.

Without Kante, though, they could have lost by far more. He, more than anyone else, ensured they were still in it. That’s what Lampard insisted at half-time.

It was partly based on the persistence of Kante.