Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez couldn't quite bring himself to concede the title to Manchester United, but a numbing 2-0 defeat at struggling Middlesbrough pushed him mighty close.
Favourites United now stand seven points clear with a game in hand and victory over Liverpool at Old Trafford on March 14 will almost certainly clinch a third successive title for Sir Alex Ferguson's men.
An incredible week for Benitez, that nudged him closer to a new long-term contract after a famous win in Madrid, saw him crash down to earth.
This was a damaging reverse against a side that hadn't won in 14 games since November, or even scored a goal in more than eight hours of football.
An own goal from Xabi Alonso and a second-half strike from Tuncay sentenced Liverpool to only their second league defeat of the season.
And the look of anger on the face of skipper Steve Gerrard as he limped off with cramp suggested strongly that Liverpool believe the title has already slipped from their grasp.
Benitez had billed this as a must-win clash after dropping two home points to Manchester City and he could barely hide his resignation as he was asked if it was all over.
He clearly can't concede this early in the campaign, but his argument that it was now United's to lose was Rafa-speak for "we surrender".
"Before the game it was going to be difficult and after this result makes it is even more difficult," said Benitez. "I don't know if Manchester United will slip up. We have to see how United do in their games.
"But it will be more difficult for us. You must score goals if you want to stay at the top.
"It has been a problem not killing teams off and it was the same today. It was a frustrating game. In the first 30 minutes we had five chances and to win you must put them away. It is disappointing." It was disappointing for the 3,600 travelling Liverpool fans too, as many headed for the exits long before the end.
Boro's first league victory since November before their biggest home crowd of the season - 33,724 - lifted under-pressure Gareth Southgate's side out of the relegation zone.
The Boro boss said: "What pleased me most was that we played as well as we did in beating West Ham.
"We got a little bit of luck with the first goal but as the game went on I thought we deserved it. It was great to see the stadium full and the crowd kept us going when we tired late on.
"We have kept four clean sheets in our last six games against Premier League teams."
Favourites United now stand seven points clear with a game in hand and victory over Liverpool at Old Trafford on March 14 will almost certainly clinch a third successive title for Sir Alex Ferguson's men.
An incredible week for Benitez, that nudged him closer to a new long-term contract after a famous win in Madrid, saw him crash down to earth.
This was a damaging reverse against a side that hadn't won in 14 games since November, or even scored a goal in more than eight hours of football.
An own goal from Xabi Alonso and a second-half strike from Tuncay sentenced Liverpool to only their second league defeat of the season.
And the look of anger on the face of skipper Steve Gerrard as he limped off with cramp suggested strongly that Liverpool believe the title has already slipped from their grasp.
Benitez had billed this as a must-win clash after dropping two home points to Manchester City and he could barely hide his resignation as he was asked if it was all over.
He clearly can't concede this early in the campaign, but his argument that it was now United's to lose was Rafa-speak for "we surrender".
"Before the game it was going to be difficult and after this result makes it is even more difficult," said Benitez. "I don't know if Manchester United will slip up. We have to see how United do in their games.
"But it will be more difficult for us. You must score goals if you want to stay at the top.
"It has been a problem not killing teams off and it was the same today. It was a frustrating game. In the first 30 minutes we had five chances and to win you must put them away. It is disappointing." It was disappointing for the 3,600 travelling Liverpool fans too, as many headed for the exits long before the end.
Boro's first league victory since November before their biggest home crowd of the season - 33,724 - lifted under-pressure Gareth Southgate's side out of the relegation zone.
The Boro boss said: "What pleased me most was that we played as well as we did in beating West Ham.
"We got a little bit of luck with the first goal but as the game went on I thought we deserved it. It was great to see the stadium full and the crowd kept us going when we tired late on.
"We have kept four clean sheets in our last six games against Premier League teams."
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