Maresca praises Reds' response to death of Jota

ENZO MARESCA praised the fortitude of Liverpool's players in continuing to perform while they grieve Diogo Jota.

- By ROBERT O'CONNOR

The forward's death in July at the age of 28 following a car accident came weeks after he had helped the team to the Premier League title.

Arne Slot's side lead the way this season after six matches and the Chelsea head coach - who suffered a similar tragedy in 2007 when Sevilla teammate Antonio Puerta died suddenly - believes the Reds' performances have been the more remarkable for what they are going through.

"I don't think it's better to play them now just because they've dropped points," said Maresca, whose side face the champions at Stamford Bridge this evening.