Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri has taken positives from the club’s 2-0 Premier League defeat to Liverpool. The Blues had the opportunity to throw a spanner into the Reds’ title hopes on Sunday, but that was not the case as Jurgen Klopp’s side managed to outclass them with the better creativity in the second period.

Speaking after the game, Sarri indicated that he was pleased with the performance from the Blues despite being on the losing end, he said: “I think it was a great game of football even though we lost. Liverpool are one of the great teams in Europe at this moment, but we stayed in the match until the end. Three months ago we wouldn’t have been able to do that. So we are improving, but it’s very difficult because here in England, the standard is really high. To close the gap on Manchester City and Liverpool it will be very, very difficult. But now we are really very close to the other teams.”

Chelsea found themselves two-nil down with the opening 10 minutes of the second period following goals from Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah. However, they could have quite easily levelled the proceedings thereafter, had Eden Hazard managed to convert with the two clear-cut chances on offer.

As such, they succumbed to their first defeat against the Reds in six meetings and the loss could yet hamper their prospects of making the Champions League places. The west London side are currently occupying the fourth position but they stand the possibility of being leapfrogged by both Manchester United and Arsenal, who have games in hand. The Gunners, in particular, have two more matches to play when compared to the Blues and they can jump to the fourth spot with an away victory over Watford on Monday night.