Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca believes that Liverpool are still the “best team in England” as the two teams prepare to face off in the Premier League this Saturday.
The Reds enter this tie on the back of successive defeats, losing to a last-minute goal at Crystal Palace last weekend before falling to a Victor Osimhen penalty against Galatasaray in the UEFA Champions League.
Liverpool remain on top of the Premier League table with 15 points from their opening six games, two points ahead of challengers Arsenal, while Chelsea are seven points adrift of the leaders.
Chelsea boss says Liverpool remain “best team” in Premier League
Asked if the defending champions are the measuring stick for the Blues, Maresca responded: “I consider them the best team in this moment in England.”
He added: “The reason why is because they showed that and because they won the Premier League. Where we are in this moment, I think we are improving. We are trying to solve problems in terms of finding solutions. But for sure, as I said at the beginning of the press conference, I think at the end we are going to be there.”
Maresca had previously stated that Liverpool are “impossible to catch”, but clarified that he was referring to their 100 per cent record at the time. He explained that if they had continued that vein of form they could not be caught, but sees vulnerabilities that can be exploited.
Read – Maresca insists Chelsea getting ‘better’ ahead of Liverpool clash
“There is vulnerability about anyone in the world, not just Liverpool. But if a team wins all the games, it’s impossible to catch them.
“When we did the interview, after five games, they had 15 points. My words was if they continue in the same way, it’s impossible to catch them. Now they lost one game, two games, that shows that there is vulnerability.
“This is something, for me, from not just Liverpool, but from all the teams in the world. And then the Premier League, you know how difficult it is. You can drop points against anything.”
Read – Liverpool boss issues triple injury update ahead of Chelsea clash
See Also – Champions League Awards: Liverpool stunned, Olise dazzles