The Chelsea boss thinks the time is right for Liverpool to end the club's long wait for silverware, following an impressive start to the season
Liverpool are ready to win the Premier League under Jurgen Klopp because he is one of the best coaches in the world, says Maurizio Sarri.
Chelsea host Liverpool on Saturday with the Reds having won all six of their opening matches for the first time in the Premier League era.
However, the Blues inflicted Liverpool's first defeat of the season in any competition as they came from behind to win 2-1 at Anfield in the EFL Cup on Wednesday.
Liverpool last lost at home in January, and Sarri feels that the Reds, without a top-flight title since 1990, are in good shape to challenge this term.
"It will be another match in another competition with a different level," Sarri told reporters. "I think maybe they can increase their determination after Wednesday.
"It will always be a difficult match against a top-level team. They have worked with the same coach for four seasons and they are ready now to win the Premier League."
Asked about Liverpool's failure to win the league for so long, Sarri added: "It's very strange but I think the important thing is now they are ready."
The Italian was fulsome in his praise of Liverpool manager Klopp, who has led his side to EFL Cup, Europa League and Champions League finals, ultimately failing to secure the first trophy of his reign.
"He's one of the best coaches in the world at the moment," Sarri said.
"He worked very well in the last season with his players, so now I think they are ready to win.
"Maybe the Premier League, but they are ready to win something important."
Long-serving Chelsea players Cesc Fabregas and Gary Cahill were handed rare starts for Wednesday's EFL Cup tie.
But although Sarri praised their performances, he suggested Cahill could still leave during the January transfer window, days after the centre-back indicated he is considering his future at the club.
"I am very happy with the performance of Fabregas and Cahill, they played 90 minutes after a long time, but I don't know at the moment if they are ready to play twice in a week for 90 minutes," Sarri said.
"But now I am sure that they will be very useful for us during the season, that is very important for me.
"I have spoken with him [Cahill] but I think that there is October, November, December. So I think he has to wait.
"I was really very happy with Gary's performance. And so Gary for me is very useful. I don't know, generally it's far from now so we will see."
jewdint
18
People just keep talking about how good Liverpool is remember they are playing in the champions league and they will have to travel sometimes during the week days. Chelsea is playing in Europa league and can rest the top players for the premier league matches. I think that we (Chelsea) have a good chance of winning the premier league and that’s how we win two years ago when the top four was busy in champions league matches
Well you are right but I am also surprised with the way the liverpool players do it game after game. These players have shown it last year that they can do it again. Liverpool has what it takes! Meanwhile in today's game, they are coming back with the full starting 11 with their solid defenders coming back, not the fully rotationed One we saw in the carabao. I think Chelsea must just be careful. These Liverpool players take 3 points irrespective of which pitch they play. Klopp will rather play the full squad here and rotate players in the champions league and get a win for the psyche of his team, than rotate the team here against Chelsea and play full squad in champs league. Moreover, premier league is more of a priority now and they wouldn't wanna be beaten twice by same team. Considering the Liverpool next two oppositions, I would rather play full against Chelsea - tell me why.