Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho says he cannot promise the club will qualify for the Champions League this season.
The Blues are struggling in 15th after 10 games, having won just three times and picked up 11 points.
No team has ever finished in the top-four of the Premier League after earning so few points by this stage of the season, and Mourinho's side are already nine points short of fourth-placed Manchester United.
Asked whether he thinks his team can defy such a daunting fact and qualify for next year's tournament, Mourinho said: "I can't promise.
"I think Chelsea is a big club - the club I chose to come to. But with all the respect, Liverpool is a big club and last season Liverpool won nothing and didn't qualify for the Champoins League, and it is still a big club.
"Manchester United is a super-big club, and the season before last they didn't qualify for the Champions League, not even the Europa League, and they won nothing, and they are still a super-big club.
"How do I deal with this? I work. I have no doubts we will get out of this."
The Blues host Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on Saturday lunchtime, with new Reds boss Jurgen Klopp looking for a first Premier League win at the third attempt.
Mourinho, who confirmed that Pedro and Diego Costa face late fitness tests while Branislav Ivanovic is out, spoke of his respect for Klopp and he expects a tough game in their search for a crucial win.
"They had a very good manager and now they have a new very good manager, I think everything is the same, the Portuguese said.
"They've changed some details in tactical approach but this is two top managers. The level is high. They know what to do.
"Klopp and I have good relations. His work speaks for itself. Despite his last season, he is one of the top managers. I am also a good friend of the top people in Dortmund. I know how stable they are."