Maurizio Sarri has hailed Liverpool as “one of the best teams in Europe” but believes his Chelsea side were unlucky to lose at Anfield.
Two goals in as many minutes shortly after half-time from Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah sent the Londoners tumbling to a 2-0 defeat on Sunday.
Chelsea, though, had their chances, with Eden Hazard hitting the post and Alisson Becker making a fine save to deny the Belgian.
And Sarri said: “Liverpool are one of the best teams in Europe at this moment.
“They played very well for 90 minutes. But I think we stayed in the match very well today.
“We were a little bit unlucky for the second goal for the timing of it, but Mo Salah is outstanding, it was a wonderful goal.
See how Mohamed Salah and the rest of Liverpool's players rated against Chelsea HERE
“Then we were also a little bit unlucky because in three minutes we had three opportunities, two with Hazard and one with Higuain and we hit the post for the 35th time this season.”
Sarri added: “Liverpool started the second half for 10 minutes in a very strong way and it wasn't easy to play against them in that moment.
“We needed to get through those first 10 minutes because in the last 20-25 minutes we could have found a lot of spaces. The target was to get to the last 20-25 minutes 0-0.
“Two or three months ago we'd not have been able to stay in this match.
“To close the gap with Liverpool and Man City will be very difficult as the quality is so high.”
The Chelsea boss was also asked who he believes will emerge triumphant in such a tight Premier League battle.
“It's very difficult to say,” said Sarri. “Probably it will depend on post in or post out, I don't know.
“I am sure that at the end the difference will be be one or two points, no more.”
