Enzo Maresca names Chelsea duo who made him ‘afraid’ in defeat to Liverpool

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca admits he was ‘afraid’ of Reece James and Romeo Lavia getting injured in Sunday’s 2-1 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield.

Mohamed Salah produced a goal and assist as Arne Slot’s side secured all three points against the Blues to move back to the top of the Premier League table.

Chelsea captain James was handed a start against the Reds, with the England international overcoming injury issues to make his first appearance of the season.

Lavia was also named in the XI and Maresca was quizzed in his post-match press conference as to why he substituted both players before the hour mark.

‘For James and Romeo, it was 45 minutes to one hour maximum,’ Maresca said.

‘I was a bit afraid to give them more minutes on the pitch. decided to change them after 50, 55 minutes.’

Speaking more generally about Chelsea’s defeat, the Italian boss told the BBC: ‘I think many good things about the performance.

‘Overall it was very good, to come to this stadium against this team and dominate most of the game is not easy.

‘If we were able to maintain the 1-1 for longer then probably the result would have been different.

‘My intention was to come here and play the way we are training every day and that was clear.’

Quizzed about the performance of his goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, Maresca added: ‘I’m very happy with Robert, he’s doing fantastic with us.

‘Not only in building from the back but also making saves.’

Chelsea are back in action on Thursday with a trip to Greek side Panathinaikos in the Conference League.