August 6, 2024; Charlotte, NC, United States; Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca, first half against Real Madrid at Bank of America Stadium. Compulsory credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn images Chelsea will try to get closer to the qualification of the UEFA Champions League on Sunday when the team welcomed a Liverpool team that left the summit to win the title of the League in front of its fans at home.
Chelsea (17-8-9, 60 points) is fifth in the battle for five places in the UCL of next season, ahead of Nottingham Forest on the difference in goals, but also behind Newcastle third place by only two points.
And after losing 2-1 in Anfield last October, there is a suggestion that the time of Liverpool’s visit-after the 5-1 home victory of the team last weekend against Tottenham to win his 20th English League title-could be beneficial.
The Chelsea manager, Enzo Maresca, firmly does not agree.
“It’s always nice to play in this kind of game, but I don’t think they will be different or relaxed because they have already won the title,” said Maresca. “They are a very good team and deserve to win the Premier League this season. The gap is there, you can see clearly. My feeling is that we are in the right direction and I hope that this gap can be smaller and closer next season.”
The Blues also come from a short recovery after the 4-1 victory on Thursday evening in Djurgarden in Sweden in play 1 of the UEFA Europa conference.
Maresca has made several rotations, including saving Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson until the second half. The duo then connected for the last two goals of Chelsea.
Meanwhile, Liverpool (25-2-7, 82 points) had full week to absorb their results now that they are no longer involved in the domestic or continental cutting competition.
There are still small targets to play, like helping Mo Salah – currently on 28 league goals – try to match his best 32 career in his first season of Liverpool. The Egyptian also has a comfortable six goals’ advance against Alexander Isak from Newcastle for the title of Premier League score.
It was also a week of reflection for Arne Slot and her charges. And for the Dutchman, it includes a little wonder how much his team came since his first meeting with Chelsea, when the title race was wide open.
“We played them earlier in the season, and I am completely surprised – not shocked, but surprised – if I look at the gap we have with them right now, because at that time, they were the best team on the field,” said Slot.
“In the match, we had to suffer more than any other game,” he continued. “So being so many points ahead of them is a great compliment for everyone here in this club.”
– field level media