Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has claimed Chelsea’s lack of Champions League football may actually work in their favor in this season’s Premier League title race. With Enzo Maresca’s side just two points behind league leaders Liverpool after Sunday’s victory over Brentford, the Blues are being tipped as dark horses for the title.

Liverpool, who hold a game in hand, have dropped points in recent weeks with draws against Newcastle and Fulham, narrowing their lead at the top. Meanwhile, Chelsea’s stunning form has seen them climb to second, winning their last five Premier League matches to leapfrog Arsenal and Manchester City.

Speaking on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football, Carragher admitted Chelsea’s involvement in the UEFA Conference League could give them an edge over Liverpool, as it allows Maresca to rotate his squad without affecting their Premier League form.

“I still look at them, and I don’t see a title-winning team in there just because of when I look at the goalkeeper and the two center-backs,” Carragher said. “I know Liverpool didn’t win the league, but if you remember the season under Brendan Rodgers when Liverpool came really close – they came from nowhere, no one expected it, but they didn’t have European football.”

Although Chelsea are competing in Europe, Carragher argued that the Conference League presents a unique opportunity for squad rotation.

“I know Chelsea do [have European football], but they can put the second team out and probably still win that competition, so in some ways they haven’t got European football for the starting XI. That is something that definitely puts them right in the race,” he added.

Despite acknowledging this advantage, Carragher stopped short of naming Chelsea as potential champions, citing question marks over key areas in the squad.