The Blues failed to take advantage of Manchester United's defeat at the hands of rivals City earlier in the day but Grant is adamant that Liverpool's Barclays Premier League hopes are now in tatters.

The Reds are 16 points behind leaders Arsenal and Grant echoed the sentiments expressed by Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher 10 days ago by insisting the gap is now too wide for Rafael Benitez's team.

Grant said: "I think after this game it will be very difficult for them to fight for the title. They are too many points from the first team."

Grant was adamant that referee Mike Riley made a mistake when he failed to award Chelsea a penalty for Javier Mascherano's challenge on Joe Cole in the first-half.

But Michael Ballack's glaring miss 10 minutes from time also played a part in Chelsea's inability to end the stalemate.

Grant added: "We are not happy. We want to win every game but especially at home. If we don't win we are disappointed.

"You could say it is a missed opportunity, but it is not easy to play against Liverpool. They are a very tactical team. They don't give you much space to play. In the first half we didn't play quickly so it was much easier for them.

"We were better in the second-half but we missed a big chance at the end. It was a penalty when I saw it at the time and now I've seen it on TV, it was a 100% penalty.

"He is a good referee but he has made a mistake. It has happened. For us it is not the first or second time this season, so we are used to it but he is a good referee."

It was Chelsea's second straight draw after last weekend's 1-1 stalemate at Portsmouth.

"If we draw twice we are not happy but we are still in the chasing pack," Grant claimed.

"I think it has been a big physical pressure on a small group of players in the last two months. So maybe they are a little bit tired but this is part of the game when you belong to a top club.

"They have done a good job until now. It was not an entertaining game that is for sure. We tried to play football but it was not easy today. It is the game we haven't scored in for a long time."

Grant's disappointment was tempered by the news that captain John Terry has returned to full training.

Terry insists he could be back in action in a fortnight but Grant is not so sure.

However, the 52-year-old Israeli coach does not think Terry will be fit enough to lead the team out at Wembley in the Carling Cup final on February 24.

"It is very good news about John Terry," said Grant. "He has trained sooner than we thought.

"He trained Friday and Saturday and everybody was happy to see him. He is the leader we need. He will be fit in around three weeks.

"I think it will be too soon (for the Carling Cup final) but we will see. He wants to do everything to be as fit as soon as possible."

Liverpool manager Benitez insists his side could have left Stamford Bridge with all three points if they had taken their first-half chances.

Peter Crouch was guilty of failing to punish Chelsea with three headers but the Reds boss is still aiming for a top-four finish this season.

Benitez said: "We had some chances in the first half and defended well in the second half. We also had some half-chances. It could have been three points, but it is not easy against Chelsea.

"In the first half we created some clear chances but they were pushing forward in the second half.

"Crouch had some good chances but the team showed character and the commitment of every player was very positive.

"Chelsea are a very good team, starting with the goalkeeper and finishing with the last striker, they are all very good players. To create some chances is very positive but not taking them is the difference sometimes.

"We have to think about getting three points every game. It was the same situation for Chelsea - two good teams trying to win and it is not easy for anyone.

"In terms of the position in the table we have to keep working hard and playing as we did today. Every game is important for us. We want to finish in the top four."