Chelsea's preparation for Liverpool trip started before Champions League win over Qarabag says Antonio Conte

Antonio Conte claims Chelsea's preparation for the Premier League trip to Liverpool started even before their Champions League fixture against Qarabag.

The west London club travelled to Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, for the midweek European tie. They managed a comfortable 4-0 win over the Azerbaijan Premier League winners on 22 November.

Chelsea travel to Anfield next to face Jurgen Klopp's side on 25 November. The former Juventus manager has already expressed his unhappiness with the Blues' fixture schedule before Qarabag and Liverpool double-header.

Conte stressed the lack of time has forced Chelsea to start preparing for Liverpool tie even before their trip to Baku. The ex-Italy coach also admitted the Stamford Bridge outfit will work "during the flight" back to London for the clash against the Reds on Saturday.

"We have to work during the flight to prepare for the game, but to be honest we started [preparing] with my staff before tonight so as not to wait until at the last moment," Conte told Chelsea's official website.

"I watched the game. Liverpool played a really good first half with great intensity. But as you know very well, football is strange. What happened in the second half is very difficult to explain. Liverpool in the second half had opportunities to score other goals. They were also unlucky."

"It's important to prepare for the game and for us to try and play a really good game. We know very well what are the qualities of Liverpool," he added.

The Merseyside club settled for a 3-3 draw against Sevilla in Andalusia on Tuesday. Liverpool have an advantage of an additional day to prepare for the league clash against the English champions.

On a positive note, the three points against Qarabag helped Chelsea qualify for the knockout stages of the Europe's elite club competition.

Meanwhile, Willian was the star man for Chelsea in their latest Champions League win. The Brazil international was involved in all the four goals scored by the visitors. However, Conte refused to praise the 29-year-old, but admitted the brace will boost Willian's confidence.

"I like to speak about the team, not about a single player. I have to count on all my squad. For Willian to score two goals is great for him, his confidence and for the team. We have to continue in this way," Chelsea manager explained.