Virgil van Dijk has no doubt Chelsea pose a threat to Liverpool's Premier League title hopes.
The Blues are the Reds' closest rivals in the table, having closed the gap to four points with a win over Tottenham last week. Liverpool have a game in hand as their clash with Everton was postponed due to Storm Darragh hitting Merseyside.
Chelsea were surprisingly strong starters after many predicted more ups and downs at Stamford Bridge with their big spending and changing manager when they brought in Enzo Maresca to replace Mauricio Pochettino.
“I don't think they stay under the radar,” said Van Dijk. “Obviously with the team they have and the players they have. The players who can come off the bench. Obviously we might talk about inexperience but they have the quality, they have the players to make it difficult for any team and that is what they have done so they are definitely at the top. I think they showed it.”
Liverpool host Fulham tomorrow and will look to maintain their lead at the top of the Premier League. But Tuesday's 1-0 win over Girona all but secured their place in the last 16 of the Champions League, avoiding a potentially exhausting two days.
“We get a full week to prepare for the matches and that will certainly help, especially during the matches,” said Van Dijk.
The Dutchman has found himself a new defensive partner for Girona, with the win over Manchester City and draw with Newcastle in Joe Gomez. Ibrahima Konate is out with a knee injury, but Gomez has stepped up impressively after being forced to watch for the first part of the season.
Van Dijk added: “I obviously know him very well and it is certainly not easy when you don't play every week, but the way he behaves both on and off the field is an example for so many players. Not just young players, there are so many players.
“It's not easy to do it and he has so much quality and he can play all the way across the back line as we can see. It's clear that it's always a good thing to work with him and we obviously know each other inside and out. He is needed now and he must remain consistent and perform well.”
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