Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek believes that the Blues, and Liverpool, could have an advantage in the title race having failed to qualify for European competition.
The west Londoners endured a terrible 2015-16 campaign that saw Jose Mourinho sacked as manager, with the club eventually finishing in 10th place in the table.
Liverpool, meanwhile, fared slightly better and would end the season in eighth, although they missed out on a place in Europe after losing the Europa League final to Sevilla.
And Loftus-Cheek, who made 13 league appearances for the Blues last term, is convinced that Antonio Conte's side will fare better without the stresses and strain of European competition.
Ahead of Wednesday's International Champions Cup clash with their Premier League rivals Loftus-Cheek told Goal: "We would love to be in the Champions League but we can see it as a positive and turn all our focus on the league. If we see it in that way we will have a good chance. We will have a lot of rest.
"There is not a game ever three days like it would be if we were in the Champions League. In that way we are going to put more focus on the Premier League and be fresher for the games at the weekend."
The youngster previously told Goal that he is being given personal advice in double training sessions under Conte and admits that he is looking forward to facing the Reds at the Rose Bowl.
He added: "If you play for Liverpool then you are going to be a good player. Liverpool is a big club and Chelsea is a big club and it always attracts people. I am sure that even though it is a friendly, it will be a good game.
"I think definitely [a game against a big club is important to get Chelsea ready]. We’ve got to work on our fitness, we are doing double sessions every day, trying to get ready for the start of the season and playing big teams like Liverpool is always going to give us a boost. It challenges us early and gets us up to standard ready for the first game in the Premier League.
"I remember when I went to a post-season tour in the States. That was my first time going with the first team and we played Man City twice.
"We played in an 80,000-seater stadium and for me, coming from the under-21s, straight into a stadium with 80,000 people that was mental and amazing. It was an amazing atmosphere."
Chelsea play against Liverpool in The Rose Bowl in Los Angeles on July 27 in front of over 90,000 fans with a few tickets still available.
- Goal