The Albany Gazette - Maresca confident Chelsea can close gap to Liverpool

Chelsea were within two points of Liverpool in mid-December, two months after pushing them hard in a 2-1 defeat at Anfield.

Liverpool manager Arne Slot said he felt the visitors were the better team that day.

Fifth-placed Chelsea are now 22 points behind the champions but still have their eyes firmly set on a top-five finish, which would secure Champions League qualification.

"I think the gap (to Liverpool) is there, you can see it clearly," said Maresca, whose team have won five of their past eight league matches.

"My feeling is that we are in the right direction and hopefully this gap can be closed. The difference has been probably that they have been consistent compared to us.

"Also in terms of experience, players that know how to win games, I think they have something more compared to us."

Maresca was asked if he would look to follow the example of Liverpool, who signed experienced pair Virgil van Dijk and Alisson in 2018, underpinning success in the Champions League and Premier League.

"If you want to close the gap with this kind of club, for sure (you need experience)," said the Italian.

"Our team next season will be better in terms of experience, because this year has been one more year together.

"For sure the ones that are growing like Levi (Colwill) for instance, growing a lot in terms of leadership, next year will be better and better."

Maresca, whose team have one foot in the UEFA Conference League final following a 4-1 first-leg win over Djurgarden, said Chelsea would give the new champions a guard of honour before kick-off on Sunday.

"I don't think we need that to understand how good it is to win the Premier League," he said. "We know that it's something very nice.

"But for sure when you are there, probably in their mind (the players) are thinking 'I would like one day to be there'."

(N.Miller--TAG)