Maresca admits Chelsea cannot catch ‘best team in England’ Liverpool ahead of Premier League showdown

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca admits the Blues are aspiring to compete with Liverpool ahead of their meeting on Saturday.

The West London club welcome the Premier League champions to Stamford Bridge after both were in Champions League action in midweek.

And after the Reds slipped up for the first time last weekend against Crystal Palace, and then again against Galatasaray, Chelsea will fancy their chances to build some much-needed momentum heading into the international break.

Speaking ahead of the game, Maresca said: “I consider them the best team in England at the moment. They showed that, they won the Premier League.

“Where we are in this moment, we’re improving, we’re trying to solve problems, find solutions. At the end, we’re going to be there – close.

“I think we started very very well, in terms of results and performance, the first four or five games.

“And then probably the rest of the games we didn’t get the points that we wanted for sure, but we already analysed the reasons why.

“Most of the games were we didn’t get the points is because it was very complicated for us because of the red card. But no doubt that also the injury situation we have in this moment, we have eight players out.

“So it’s a mix of combination that we don’t have any doubt that slowly we’re going to be where we need to be.”

Bedding in young blood

Maresca has had to lean on his youth players after injuries to several first team members.

Cole Palmer and Liam Delap are both out with issues, plus the likes of Wesley Fofana and Levi Colwill have also struggled so far this term.

Speaking on trusting his younger crop, Maresca added: “I think it’s a fact that I really trust the young players – not just those that we buy but those from the academy.

“We gave games to [Josh] Acheampong, leaving senior players on the bench, this shows that I trust the young players.

“The same thing happened with Ty [Tyrique George], I really trust the players we have.

“As you say, we have four or five defenders out, but we’re going to try to adapt and find a solution for tomorrow.”