Liverpool have been warned about two Chelsea players who could help Thomas Tuchel’s side return to top form in the title race.
The top three in the Premier League remain within touching distance of each other, with Liverpool just one point behind leaders Manchester City after their win over Aston Villa.
Chelsea sit a point further back in third, although they were made to sweat as they kept up the pace with a dramatic late victory over Leeds United on Saturday.
The Blues looked destined to be settling for a point until Jorginho tucked away the winner deep into stoppage time after Antonio Rudiger was brought down inside the penalty area with the score at 2-2.
The victory ensured Tuchel’s side ended what had been a disappointing week on a high, having relinquished their place at the top of the table at West Ham last weekend, before having to settle for second in their Champions League group after drawing 3-3 at Zenit St Petersburg on Wednesday.
Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp though have been warned by Danny Murphy that Chelsea will come back stronger once N’Golo Kante and Mateo Kovacic return, having proven to be big misses in recent games.
Writing in his latest Mail Online column, the former Liverpool midfielder said: "The most significant result on Saturday was Chelsea's late win against Leeds.
“We all expect Liverpool and Manchester City to contend for the title — so the big question has been whether Chelsea can stick with them.
"To accumulate points and stay in the mix during a difficult time is a real mark of championship contenders, which makes me thinks we might have a genuine three-horse race this season.
"Chelsea have suffered by missing N'Golo Kante and Mateo Kovacic, who are key to the way Thomas Tuchel plays. When those two return, the performances will improve - so to remain in the hunt to date is impressive.
"I'd still make City slight favourites, Liverpool next and Chelsea as outsiders. But in truth they are all so packed with quality, part of the fun over the coming months is not knowing what will happen."
