Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has expressed admiration for Chelsea’s early-season form, praising Enzo Maresca’s squad as “full of very good footballers.” Following a turbulent summer that saw Mauricio Pochettino depart and Maresca take over, Chelsea faced skepticism about their prospects this season. However, after a shaky start against Manchester City, Maresca has led the Blues to four wins in six league matches, including an impressive performance against Wolves.
Van Dijk noted that while Chelsea has been quietly impressive, Liverpool must remain vigilant ahead of their clash at Anfield. He stated, “We will certainly not be underestimating them,” emphasizing that Chelsea’s talent and Maresca’s clear vision for the team make them a formidable opponent.
With Liverpool sitting atop the Premier League and preparing for a challenging schedule that includes matches against Arsenal, Brighton, Aston Villa, and Manchester City, Van Dijk stressed the importance of focus and readiness. “We need to be somewhere near our best to get the result we want,” he said, underscoring that these high-stakes matches are what Liverpool thrives on.