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Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca acknowledged in a pre-match press conference that Liverpool’s recent slip-ups have exposed some vulnerability, but he was careful to stress that the champions remain dangerous and difficult to beat.
What Maresca said
- Liverpool began the season strongly, winning their first five Premier League games, but losses at Crystal Palace and to Galatasaray in the Champions League have dampened that momentum.
- Maresca noted that any team is vulnerable at some point. He said: “If a team wins every game, it is impossible to catch them. Now they lost one or two games. That shows vulnerability.”
- Despite this, Maresca made clear he still expects a difficult match: “It is always a tough game, always a big team.”
Chelsea’s challenges
- Chelsea are missing several key defenders — Levi Colwill, Wesley Fofana, Tosin Adarabioyo — as well as defensive midfielder Dario Essugo due to injury.
- They also have absences in midfield and attack: Cole Palmer, Liam Delap, Andrey Santos are among the unavailable players.
- Red cards have hurt them in recent matches, further compounding difficulties.
What this suggests
- Maresca is attempting to strike a balance: showing respect for Liverpool’s status and potential, while also hinting that Chelsea might capitalize on any weaknesses.
- The injury situation and disciplinary record mean Chelsea may need to adjust tactics, possibly relying more on squad rotation or more cautious defensive setups.
- Confidence matters: with recent successes (such as in European competitions), Chelsea will want to carry that into this high-profile match.
