Liverpool boss Arne Slot has admitted Chelsea are the team who gave his Reds side the biggest challenge this season.
Back in October, Liverpool and Chelsea faced off at Anfield, with Slot and co prevailing 2-1 thanks to goals from Mohamed Salah and Curtis Jones. However, while Liverpool managed to come away from the clash with all three points, Chelsea dominated the ball, something which no side had done against them previously this term.
Fast forward to mid-December and Liverpool and Chelsea currently sit first and second respectively in the Premier League. The Blues are four points behind Liverpool, who has won 11 of their 14 Premier League games this term.
While that lead could have been seven points had Liverpool beaten rivals Everton at Goodison Park in a game that was postponed due to Storm Darragh, they still lead Chelsea and know that as long as they continue to pick up results, Enzo Maresca's side cannot afford a slip up.
However, equally, with Chelsea breathing down Liverpool's necks, the Reds know they themselves cannot afford a slip up either.
Curtis Jones
Curtis Jones was the star of the show for Liverpool against Chelsea when they faced off in October (Image: Getty)
Speaking ahead of Liverpool's weekend clash with Fulham, Slot said of Chelsea: "It was one of the games [Liverpool's 2-1 win over Chelsea], maybe the only game, where I felt the other team was better than us during that game.
"That's not to say for the long term they are better than us but during the game they had more ball possession than us and were threatening us more than any other team until now. I'm not there to judge which position they will end in the league table. I have to focus on my own team but Chelsea have been impressive this season so far, that's for sure."
Liverpool.com says: "Enzo Maresca deserves huge credit for how well he has got Chelsea playing despite having been in charge for such a short period of time. The Blues looked to have had a chaotic summer, but Maresca has settled upon a side who look one of the best sides in the Premier League. If they continue their good run of form across Christmas, they will certainly be up there with Liverpool and Arsenal (and possibly Manchester City...) come the end of the season."