Maresca Admits It May Be Impossible To Stop Liverpool From Defending The Premier League Title

Enzo Maresca admits it's rather impossible to stop Liverpool from defending the Premier League title (Instagram/@chelseafc).

JAKARTA - Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca is concerned that it will be impossible for any team to stop Liverpool from defending the Premier League title.

The defending champion Arne Slot has secured a five-point lead at the top of the table after a perfect start in defending their title.

After the 2-2 draw at Brentford headquarters and then a 1-2 defeat against Manchester United, Chelsea are now seven points adrift of leaders.

Liverpool secured last season's title with four games remaining and then broke their transfer record twice this summer by signing Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen, in a deal that could reach 116 million, before spending 125 million pounds on Alexander Isak on the last day of the transfer market.

Overall, Liverpool spent more than 400 million pounds on new players. The massive purchase of quality ammunition implies the Reds' goal of staying in competition, both domestic and continental.

"If they continue like this, I think it's impossible to chase them, not only for us, but also for all clubs."

"They have been doing fantastic work since last year. The players they bought showed the club's intention to return to the Premier League and Champions League. That's very clear," Maresca admitted.

Chelsea, who have never won three games after losing to Bayern Munich in the Champions League last week, will face Lincoln City in the Carabao Cup Third Round on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, early morning WIB.

Cole Palmer is expected to miss out after being pulled out in the first half due to a groin problem in defeat at Old Trafford on Saturday, September 20, 2025.

Maresca hopes that the 23-year-old will not have to undergo injury surgery. You see, so far he has only played twice as a starter in the league this season.

However, he acknowledged that the club was holding a meeting to determine the best steps for Cole Palmer.

"Medical staff, they didn't mention it. I don't know if in the next few days or weeks, but I honestly don't think it (needs surgery)."

"However, we have to protect Cole, 100 percent. Because of the 2025 Club World Cup, we never stop, we need to manage and protect various players. Cole is one of them."

"Now we are holding a meeting with medical staff and deciding the best solution for him. It's not a black and white injury."

"This is an injury that sometimes feels better and the pain is gone. Sometimes it can get worse. So, that's why we have to handle it every day," Maresca said when asked if Palmer needed to undergo injury surgery or not.

Maresca will bring in a number of academy players for the match at the LNER Stadium against the team who are currently in third place in League One.

The gap between the two teams has made Chelsea a strong favorite to qualify for the next round.

However, Maresca is also worried about over-rotating.

"Personally, I'd rather play against the Premier League team than the League One team because it's the game like this that I'm most worried about because we can underestimate the opponent."

"That's what we have to avoid, do our job, then focus on the Premier League (against Brighton) on Saturday, September 27, 2025," said the Italian coach.