Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has expressed his surprise at the gap between his side and Chelsea in the Premier League table this season, with the Blues' win over the weekend cutting the points difference to a still-substantial 18.
Goals from Enzo Fernandez, an own-goal from Jarell Quansah and then a late Cole Palmer penalty kick gave Chelsea a 3-1 win over Liverpool, with Virgil van Dijk netting a consolation. But with the Premier League title already wrapped up, Slot took the opportunity to rotate and hand some fringe players including Harvey Elliott a chance to impress.
While Liverpool had two-thirds of the possession, it was unable to create that much in the way of clear-cut chances. Errors at the back and an openness in midfield meant that Chelsea was able to win the game quite comfortably.
"Dominating ball possession is not what many teams do at Stamford Bridge because Chelsea are so comfortable on the ball," Slot said during his post-match press conference. "It was the opposite from the home game where they dominated possession and we won.
"Chelsea did well in both boxes. The margins are small when you play a team like Chelsea with so many quality players. At Anfield, they were better than us so it was a complete surprise to me that we are now 18 points clear of them."
Before the end of the season, Liverpool still has to play Arsenal, Brighton and Crystal Palace. Chelsea, now only a point off third place but in fifth, level on points with Newcastle United, is in a good position to earn a Champions League place.
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot.
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot. (Image: HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP via Getty Images)
"Very important three points, especially at this stage in the season," Maresca said on Sky Sports post-match. "[Liverpool] showed why they are so good. They forced us to defend deep, which we don't like.
"We planned the game to be aggressive, playing the way we want. But they forced us to use a different plan.
"The players adapted quite well. For the amount of chances that we created, we deserved to win the game.
"We didn't plan to wait and defend deep, but they forced us to do this. They showed why they won the Premier League, because they are a top side."
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Liverpool.com says: Chelsea does have a lot of good players and absolutely loads of depth, but there are still some holes that need filling. Enzo Maresca is lacking a world-class goalkeeper and an outstanding goalscorer.
At Liverpool, for instance, Alisson Becker is the best around and Mohamed Salah has carried the team at times. Like at Chelsea with Nicolas Jackson, Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez have been inconsistent, but Salah's goals have papered over that crack.
In the summer, the challenge for Slot and Liverpool will be to ensure that the couple of weak spots are strengthened. Signing a top number nine, for example, would take the pressure off Salah needing to score so regularly.