The Blues were held to a 0-0 draw by West Ham on Sunday and their manager bemoaned Premier League scheduling following Thursday's Europa League outing
Maurizio Sarri does not think Chelsea will be at the same level as Liverpool for another year following their underwhelming 0-0 draw at West Ham.
Chelsea started the Premier League season with five successive victories, but in Sunday's London derby they were frustrated by a dogged Hammers side.
Sarri's men were dominant, though West Ham actually crafted the better chances, with Michail Antonio and Andriy Yarmolenko both wasting glorious opportunities.
Things are not about to get much easier for the Blues, who face Liverpool in an EFL Cup and Premier League double-header in the next week.
And Sarri thinks table-toppers Liverpool – who have won all six of their league matches so far – are a cut above his Chelsea team.
"We have to face a team, a very, very good team that has worked with the same coach four or five years, I don't know exactly," Sarri said in his post-match news conference.
"They are a step forward than us at the moment. We started to work together 40 days ago and [have had] less time with the international [break].
"For us it is a bit early. We have to work and improve and then maybe in a year it will be the same level as Liverpool."
Sarri is not convinced Chelsea's Europa League trip to PAOK had anything to do with Sunday's sluggish performance, though he does not see why the Premier League cannot do them a favour with match scheduling.
"I don't know, I don't think so," he said when asked if Chelsea were suffering from a European hangover.
"In this period, I don't think so. After seven matches it is difficult in March and April, not now. I don't know why in England with the match away you can't ask for a Monday night. In Italy it is normal."
Centre-back Antonio Rudiger was forced off with an injury in the second half, as he started to hobble around the pitch.
Sarri does not expect it to be a serious problem, however: "I want to speak with the doctor," he added. "I think [it's] nothing serious. Maybe three or four days [out]."
Zokbdpryz
58
He should remember his country man Conte did it in his first season so no excuse. Chelsea is the club that demand results and trophies not excuses. You have to think of winning something I mean a trophy in your carrier. Trophy less doesn’t speak well of you so be mentally strong and put confident in the boys to beat Liverpool.
Ernesta
57
You could make it this year but you think your cigarette you smoke will kill you not true, it's Morrata gonna kill you Sarri
badly
51
Well, we can say we have 15 points out of 15 to start the season, and given how competitive it is to get into the top 4 at the moment, those 15 points will likely be very useful come to the end of the season, even if we don’t mount a title challenge.
vintage_kante
26
how is Liverpool ahead of Chelsea! we've won 2 epl titles in the last 4yrs or so. we are ahead of them.we drew one, you'll acting like we lost 5-0