MARESCA KNOWS IT'S TIME FOR WISE HEADS AMID THE PROMISE OF YOUTH

WHEN Chelsea's fresh-faced squad assemble to form a congratulatory guard of honour for Liverpool today, they'll be staring at a procession of Premier League greats.

- RYAN TAYLOR

Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah, Alisson, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson are the serial-winning core that have put the Reds back on their perch. Their stature and achievements should also provide Chelsea with a timely reminder of precisely what Blues boss Enzo Maresca's ambitious project is still missing - experience and know-how of the highest quality.

Under the Clearlake Capital regime, the big-spending club have signed young, exciting prospects in droves and while they're now on the cusp of securing the return of Champions League football, they are still lacking the mettle, guile, grit and wisdom required to compete for the biggest prizes.