Enzo Maresca has praised the fortitude of Liverpool 's players in continuing to perform while they grieve Diogo Jota .

The forward's death in July at the age of 28 in a car crash, came weeks after he had helped the team to the Premier League title.

The Chelsea head coach, who suffered a similar tragedy in 2007 when Sevilla teammate Antonio Puerta died suddenly -- believes the Reds' performances have been the more remarkable for what they are going through.

"I don't think it's better to play them now just because they've dropped points," Maresca, whose side face the champions at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, said.

"It's always a tough game. The way they're doing this season is fantastic, especially after the Jota tragedy.

"I went through exactly the same when I was a player

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