Liverpool manager Arne Slot has admitted it is a "complete surprise" that his team finished the season 18 points ahead of Chelsea in the Premier League standings.
The newly-crowned champions suffered a 3-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
Despite the loss, Slot was full of praise for Chelsea's quality, expressing his bewilderment at the significant points gap between the two sides.
"I expected Chelsea to be a threat this season," the Dutch coach confessed after the match.
Arne Slot's Liverpool won the Premier League last week but tasted defeat on Sunday to Chelsea
Reuters
Chelsea received Liverpool with a guard of honour at Stamford Bridge, acknowledging the visitors' Premier League title secured last Sunday with four games to spare.
However, it was the hosts who emerged victorious with a 3-1 win.
The result gave Chelsea valuable points in their pursuit of Champions League qualification.
The outcome was a reversal of the teams' previous meeting, with Slot noting: "It was maybe the opposite from the home game where they dominated possession and we won."
Following the match, Slot acknowledged: "Nothing good comes from losing a game of football but there were definitely a few positives.
"Dominating possession at Stamford Bridge is not a thing that many teams do because Chelsea are so comfortable with the ball.
"Chelsea did well in both boxes but it also tells us a little bit about us.
"In general it was a good performance but the final percentages were not there to win this game of football."
Slot was particularly impressed with Chelsea's quality, suggesting they could be title contenders next season.
Cole Palmer ended his 19-match goal drought with a late penalty
Reuters
"At Anfield they were better than us, they were so close to us, so it is a complete surprise to me that we are now 18 points clear of them," he admitted.
"The margins are small in the Premier League, especially if you play a team like Chelsea with so many quality players.
"We all have quality players- Chelsea have them, City have them, Arsenal have them, Villa have them.
"And we have them as well but the margins are small."
LATEST SPORT NEWS:
Liverpool boss Arne Slot commended Chelsea's star power
Reuters
The Dutchman viewed Liverpool's substantial lead over Chelsea as a testament to his squad's achievements.
"That tells you how well we did. A team like this with so much quality and we are able to be 18 points ahead of them," he said.
"It is a big compliment to our players," Slot concluded, acknowledging the significance of maintaining such an advantage over a team of Chelsea's calibre.
