Liverpool 2-1 Chelsea: Enzo Maresca encouraged by Blues despite narrow Premier League defeat

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has suggested that he and his players will put Sunday's 2-1 defeat to Liverpool in the Premier League into perspective.

The Blues travelled to Anfield on the back of a six-match unbeaten streak and sitting four points adrift of the top-flight leaders.

However, that gap has been extended to seven after a Mohamed Salah penalty and a coolly-taken Curtis Jones finish from close range earned the Merseyside giants all three points.

Nicolas Jackson had equalised for Chelsea early in the second half, but the visitors could not force a second leveller during the latter stages of the game.

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What did Maresca have to say?

Speaking to reporters after the match, Maresca insisted that Chelsea had "controlled" most of the match, a claim that might be disputed by his opposite number Arne Slot.

Nevertheless, the Italian hinted that he and his players would try to turn the disappointment of defeat into a positive over the coming weeks.

As quoted by football.london, Maresca said: "The performance was very good. We don't like having no points but if you had to choose a way, then this is the way.

"I've been in this stadium many times, it's not easy. We controlled the game and for most part of the game we dominated the game but we lost. We are not happy. The performance was very good."

He added: "We concede two goals. First is a penalty. The second goal, we already avoided this season five or six goals, but sometimes you concede.

"But to come here against this team, to not concede chances, it's impossible. We have to be proud of defending well but a bit upset because we don't like losing."

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What next for Chelsea?

Chelsea now find themselves in sixth position in the Premier League standings ahead of playing host to eighth-placed Newcastle United on October 27.

Three days before that contest, Chelsea will square off against Panathinaikos in the Conference League, Maresca expected to make widespread changes for the game in Greece.

That said, with three alterations having been made for Sunday's match, it remains to be seen whether Maresca would switch his entire XI as he has done in the past.