Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca believes it may be "impossible" for anyone to catch Liverpool in the Premier League title race this season.
The Reds have begun their title defence in style, winning all five of their matches so far – making them the only team with a 100% record – and have a five-point cushion at the top of the table.
Liverpool bolstered their squad during the transfer window, bringing in the likes of Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak in big-money moves.
Meanwhile, Chelsea, who want to build on their Conference League and Club World Cup successes, are already seven points behind Liverpool.
They let a lead slip in a 2-2 draw with Brentford before losing 2-1 to Manchester United in the Premier League on Saturday, suffering their first league defeat of the campaign.
Before the start of the season, Chelsea were given an outside chance of winning the title by the Opta supercomputer, as they won 8.3% of the pre-season simulations.
Those chances have now dropped to just 3.1%, and Maresca acknowledged that Liverpool's squad strength is likely to carry them to the trophy once again.
"If they continue in this way, I think it is impossible to catch them, not just for us, but for all the clubs.
"They have been doing a fantastic job since last year, and the players they have decided to buy shows the intention of the club to go again for the Premier League and the Champions League, and that is quite clear."
Chelsea are winless in three matches in all competitions (D1 L2) heading into their EFL Cup third-round tie away at Lincoln City on Tuesday.
sakadimnu
2
aar wlloyaal iisheega ninkaa deee la soo dhigaayo
hiuceklpyz
0
fully Liverpool
DanielEtele
1
Chelsea fans are going all hard with negative comments on their manager thinking he doesn't know wat he's doing.... meanwhile we Liverpool fans don't even welcome his views or complement coz we know he's playing mind games at the very beginning of the season. both the fans and the coach una mind go dey
Mind games with who lol. We know Maresca more than you. He’s saying his mind. Chelsea fans are upset because we don’t care about Liverpool. He should shut up and deliver results by focusing on his own improvement
deeacdns
1
Just work hard for your team not focusing nonsense comment
Yenabeilrz
0
maresca believe your self not always you say about negative thoughts every time. If you want to win always try to maintain the team not always you want to do samples, look the teams like Liverpool, Manchester city and arsenal them they always maintain the win teams. stop those thoughts otherwise you will become a failure.
Nodclmopy
1
TDK right were Zealand going her January their you're Xavier chesle
vecabcky
0
Maresca,your team is not able to beat Branford or Manchester United and you thinking about Liverpool the best team in the EPL, you are a joke man 🧍♂️.
olowod1
0
Chelsea fans are going all hard with negative comments on their manager thinking he doesn't know wat he's doing.... meanwhile we Liverpool fans don't even welcome his views or complement coz we know he's playing mind games at the very beginning of the season. both the fans and the coach una mind go dey
Yupmnptuy
1
This Chelsea coach is not a fighter at all, at this early stage hear what he is saying he have already given up. I pray we have a good manager sooner, God bless Chelsea 💙💙💙💙💙💙🇱🇷🇱🇷🇱🇷🇱🇷
denadintuz
0
Mikel Arteta would've admit rubbish narratives like this, even when Liverpool were 8pts clear last season, he said "over my dead-body",..this is what being a top top club all about
Arteta can say anything but what HAPPEN LIVERPOOL Have won it. Where Arteta going to bury his dead body.
UrPapa
0
which Arsenal?is there two Arsenals?Isn't it the same which was beaten by Liverpool Which Arsenal?Are they two Arsenals?Isn't it the same Arsenal,which was beaten by Liverpool?So how can they stop Liverpool, when they are getting beaten by Liverpool?If they are not careful the gap might increase Because very soon Liverpool will start clicking. And you know what that means.
Why are you crying? Mumu
Akindele_dejavu
2
Idiot Bald Head is busy putting his mouth here and there and forgetting to do his job 🤷🤷🤷
Ubong12
1
Mikel Arteta would've admit rubbish narratives like this, even when Liverpool were 8pts clear last season, he said "over my dead-body",..this is what being a top top club all about
nukaelprt
1
This Chelsea manager is just stupid. How I wish the board could send him back to Leicester city for he belongs there and in that particular league
Hohabclnpu
1
Have you stay again with your negative mindset talk, Maresca?
McForlemu
3
This man has started again! Instead of fighting hard he starts playing dreams down too early! I don't understand why!
TheMentor
1
A small mentality coach, five playing days with thirty more to go, but you have already given up.
VIKINGSB
2
Maresca is a 🤡, don't mind his words!.
pedbdioyz
2
There the fortune teller comes in again. Hmmm 🤔
lifeofbillings
2
The World don’t like honest people but then again it could also be mind games. Just trying to divert the attention to Liverpool while working hard to be there with them, many of you here are empty.
labknstz
2
😹😹 Honestly we're winning the EPL title again,Maresca made it clear for you already...and as for Arsenal yoh,they must concentrate on winning the Champions league for the first time 💀
Bokacdilot
1
Early days early days it’s a marathon
Wisabclmrs
6
Look at this coward who has just given up at the start of the race.I hate coaches with this kinda mentality
Mcdee068
3
This one don give up title race already after just five games played
Renbeituz
1
Idiot manager. Focus on your talents whom you are finding impossible to manage
Mcdee068
1
This one is already giving up title after just five 5 games played
tokdimstuz
1
🤣✅
akintayoibraheem
2
before nko ❓❓ you're too small to challenge Liverpool for tilte race.
youciostz
1
For the first time I can see football manager who betting on public platform. Do your job please, leave alone other teams or get sacked cos we are no longer trust you. You're championship material not PL.
lecbkmnt
1
Why speak as though the PL is won with five games? Haven't you heard or seen teams starting high and flopping for unforeseen situations? Even the wins Liverpool have enjoyed come with a lot of struggles already. I saw they struggled against, Arsenal and Newcastle but luck was on their side. If you think Liverpool are already champions then you are a visitor in the EPL.
Cekabcpsy
1
Thank God this message is clear. Thank you our average coach [Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
Badhur
1
Keeep your eyes and ipo ions down mister
elkay23
3
coward, just trying to win over claims
Kazzyrichie420
0
I don't know why Chelsea management still keeps Enzo marasca
It doesn’t matters if he doesn’t win premier league atleast he would be winning some trophies this season
tizabdruy
1
he should just work on himself
rokblnpy
1
which Arsenal?is there two Arsenals?Isn't it the same which was beaten by Liverpool Which Arsenal?Are they two Arsenals?Isn't it the same Arsenal,which was beaten by Liverpool?So how can they stop Liverpool, when they are getting beaten by Liverpool?If they are not careful the gap might increase Because very soon Liverpool will start clicking. And you know what that means.
frastel
0
this man paa hmm are you in to lift our legacy or breaking our heart is you aim
Mp3 naa sem nso oye a gyimi paaaa
frastel
3
This season too. Eeeeeeeiiii Maresca has started his damning comments again. Last year we were fighting for the title only for him to demoralize the squad by saying we are not in the title race.
Bisdklnps
1
all your talk is fears for big games why
cumclmpuy
0
this man paa hmm are you in to lift our legacy or breaking our heart is you aim
Lecaclosyz
0
Liverpool have been nothing but lucky in every match they’ve played this season. Stupid red cards and hand balls are the only reason they are where they are. Liverpool had a better squad last season. This run of luck can’t possibly last. I hope they drop like a stone when it does!
Luck? you are joking. Liverpool team are still work in progress that which can be for a long time so luck will also be associated as they invested wisely. Maresca is a good coach bc he loves a good football and say it the way it is.
Bobbcdekyz
1
Good I support you focus on FAand ucl the rest we shall see. let's not be like arsenal
viyaeikmpr
1
He's playing a mind game
Vicsammy
2
How can you say that after you’ve also been backed in the transfer market, Panicking at the early stage, Chelsea have the squad to push for the premier league but after the decision he make against United after the red card I think it’s gonna be hard.
Femanopty
0
Enzo is not kocha
BieberSmith
0
Liverpool have been nothing but lucky in every match they’ve played this season. Stupid red cards and hand balls are the only reason they are where they are. Liverpool had a better squad last season. This run of luck can’t possibly last. I hope they drop like a stone when it does!
Iam coming to know that all Newcastle fans are fools because of isak
my-blood-is-red
0
We are waiting for you at emirate unless you pack the bus like Manshitty
Liverpool Park the buss are you kidding me
my-blood-is-red
0
I still believe they will stumble along the way and if they do hopefully Arsenal will be waiting in the wings
Didn't they stumbled last season where were Arsenal [Crylaugh]
Suwbeilmpy
1
With a idiotic coach like U, Chelsea wil never win the PL
Carringtonlife
1
So when we say supercomputer is fake with prediction you guys can now believe us. Predicting for Chelsea to be favorite but their coach is now conceding so early