Liverpool boss Arne Slot reveals Chelsea ‘surprise’ ahead of Premier League clash

Liverpool boss Arne Slot (Picture: Getty)

Arne Slot admitted he is surprised by how far down the table Chelsea have fallen, given they gave Liverpool one of their toughest Premier League games of the season last time the two sides met.

Both sides met earlier in the season in October at Anfield, with Curtis Jones’ second-half strike securing a narrow and hard-fought 2-1 win for Liverpool.

Regardless, it was an impressive display from Enzo Maresca’s side who appeared to establish themselves as potential title contenders in the first few months of the Italian’s reign.

But while Slot’s side only kicked on from that point – wrapping up the league title last weekend – Chelsea, instead, have huffed and puffed, tumbling down the table and now finding themselves in a battle to secure Champions League football.

And while Chelsea fans have particularly lamented their inconsistent league form, few are more surprised than Slot who expected the Blues to be right up there based off their first encounter.

‘We played them earlier on in the season and I’m completely surprised if I look at the gap we have between them now because at that time they were the better team on the pitch,’ Slot said in his pre-match press conference.

‘But we found a way to win and that is a quality that we haven’t needed a lot, but in that game we had to suffer more than in any other game, maybe.

Curis Jones scored the winner the last time both sides met (Picture: Getty)

‘So to be so many points ahead of them is a big compliment for everyone here at this club.’

But while he is surprised at Chelsea’s league form in recent months, Slot isn’t expecting anything out of the ordinary when the two sides meet again on Sunday.

Slot is surprised by the gap between Chelsea and Liverpool (Picture: Getty)

‘Chelsea plays the same style as they did at Anfield, always bring a defender into midfield, and they did this against us,’ he said.

‘No surprise, we saw them playing, we knew they did it but we didn’t defend it well enough and they were outstanding.

‘I do feel it was one of their best games of the season but they have so many good players in their squad, that is the biggest thing you have to fight against.’

Sunday’s game will be Liverpool’s first since wrapping up the title, with Slot admitting he has spent the week fielding calls and messages of congratulations from many a familiar face

‘The most famous person who messaged me? I assume it was Jürgen [Klopp]!’ Slot said.

‘What did he say? Congratulations, now I know what a special club it is, I am part of history, this type of stuff, he was really happy for the fans and the club.’

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