IT'S JUST A GAME AGAINST THE REDS

Maresca downplays significance of tie; Slot agrees but adds Blues are toughest rivals yet

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Enzo Maresca said he was "very happy" with the strong start to his Chelsea reign, but the Blues boss insisted the clash with Liverpool on Oct 20 would not "define where we are".

Maresca's Champions League-chasing side, undefeated in their past seven games in all competitions, are just four points behind the English Premier League's early pacesetters Liverpool.

The former Leicester City manager has impressed so far but faces a daunting challenge at Anfield, where Arne Slot has made a flying start to his reign.

Asked on Oct 18 how he would assess his start to life at Stamford Bridge, Maresca said: "Very happy because what I expected in terms of players and level and style, I can see clearly that is there.

"I said already many times that no matter... who is going to play, you can see clearly the way we want to play."

Although a Chelsea victory on Merseyside would be a significant statement of intent, Maresca was keen to downplay the significance of the Liverpool clash.

He said: "It's not this game that is going to define where we are - if we win, we solve all the problems, and in case we lose? No. It's just a process, it's just a game."