Jamie Carragher likes what he sees from Chelsea and Liverpool this season (Picture: Getty Images)
Liverpool and Chelsea can rekindle their top level rivalry in the Premier League under Arne Slot and Enzo Maresca, believes Jamie Carragher, who reckons both sides are heading towards competing for the title.
Slot replaced Jurgen Klopp at Anfield over the summer while Maresca took charge at Stamford Bridge after Mauricio Pochettino left the club.
It has been an encouraging start for both new managers, with the Reds sitting top of the Premier League table at the start of the weekend, while the Blues are fourth with just one defeat in seven.
There was a time with Rafael Benitez in charge of Liverpool and Jose Mourinho at Chelsea that the rivalry between the clubs was one of the most compelling in England and Carragher feels the current managers could light that spark again.
Manchester City and Arsenal have been the best clubs in the country for the last two seasons, but the Liverpool legend reckons these two could get back into the title race under their current bosses.
‘If the hostility gets back to what it was, it will be good news for the clubs and the Premier League,’ Carragher wrote for The Independent. ‘Liverpool versus Chelsea has the potential to ensure Pep Guardiola vs Mikel Arteta does not monopolise the next few years at the Premier League summit.
‘There is much work to be done by Maresca and Slot to get that far, but I have a sneaking feeling that tomorrow is the first of many duels between coaches who, in time, will be going head-to-head for the biggest prizes.’
Enzo Maresca has made a big step up from Leicester City to Chelsea (Picture: Getty Images)
Arne Slot has huge shoes to fill at Liverpool after Jurgen Klopp’s exit (Picture: Getty Images)
While Carragher likes what he has seen from Maresca at Chelsea, it is their star man Cole Palmer who he feels could lead them back to the elite level.
‘Coming into this season, I initially thought it would be too soon for Chelsea to finish in the top four because the team spirit and connection with the fans was not there,’ he said. ‘Palmer is the biggest reason my view has changed.
‘Now they can do it, although given the scale of their investment that is where they should be.
‘If Palmer was at Liverpool, Arne Slot would be more likely to finish his debut season as a title winner. Palmer is that good, currently averaging more goal involvements per match than Stamford Bridge greats like Didier Drogba and Diego Costa.’
Cole Palmer has continued his stunning form for Chelsea this season (Picture: Getty Images)
Liverpool host Chelsea at 4.30pm on Sunday and Carragher says it is already a huge game for the season.
‘An Anfield trip is one of the toughest examinations, of course, especially with Slot trying to preserve his place at the top of the Premier League,’ he said.
‘Whichever side wins will have their good start redefined as an excellent one.’
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Chelsea news, exclusives and analysis
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.