Liverpool manager Arne Slot says he is backing Chelsea to finish in the top 4 this season.

Speaking in his post-match press conference, Slot admitted that he was very impressed with how Enzo Maresca’s side performed at the weekend:

“I also saw how difficult it was, how difficult Chelsea made [it] for us. So, in my opinion, if I would be sitting as the Chelsea manager I would say, if we can play like this at Anfield, we are also one of the teams that can compete for [a] top-four position.”

Despite only having 43% of the ball (the lowest percentage in any game this campaign), the Reds secured a 2-1 win. Based on Opta’s expected goal figures, the three points were deserved regardless of the possession stats. Liverpool racked up 1.94 xG to Chelsea’s 0.99.

Slot paid tribute to one Liverpool player

Curtis Jones was given the Player of the Match, after winning a penalty and scoring the winner. However, Slot was keen to emphasise that he was happier with how he marked Cole Palmer out of the game:

“I think what we all made of this today. He had a very good game. He had a difficult job to control Cole Palmer, which is an incredible player, in my opinion.”

“It’s so difficult to defend him because he has so many qualities. Curtis did that really well today. In my opinion, he controlled him for most parts of the game; it’s almost impossible to control a player like this for 90 minutes, but he was quite close to that.”

The Reds have more difficult games coming up

After facing RB Leipzig in Germany on Wednesday night, Slot’s men travel to the Emirates this weekend where they will take on Arsenal.

The Gunners will be an even sterner test than Chelsea, even without key player William Saliba who was sent off in the 2-0 defeat to Bournemouth on Saturday.

Find out who is in Liverpool’s first-team squad for the 2024/2025 season here