Mauricio Pochettino expressed frustration over refereeing decisions and Chelsea’s poor performance in their 4-1 loss to Liverpool. Two potential penalties for Chelsea were denied, with Paul Tierney correctly booking Ben Chilwell for diving but overlooking a tackle by Virgil van Dijk on Conor Gallagher. Former player Joe Cole believed it was a clear penalty, criticizing the referee’s reluctance.
The Reds capitalized on Chelsea’s lackluster first half, with Diogo Jota and Connor Bradley securing a lead before Darwin Nunez missed a penalty. Tierney granted Liverpool a questionable foul, leading to Jota’s goal, and despite Nunez hitting the post four times, Chelsea couldn’t recover. Dominik Szoboszlai’s header sealed the victory for Liverpool.
Christopher Nkunku’s consolation goal provided a glimmer of hope for Chelsea, but controversy arose when Nkunku appeared to be fouled in the box shortly after. Commentators, including Ally McCoist, argued for a penalty, citing contact from Van Dijk, but VAR and referee John Brooks disagreed, intensifying Pochettino’s displeasure on the sidelines.
Despite the contentious decisions, McCoist acknowledged Liverpool’s overall deserving win, leaving Chelsea in a precarious mid-table position. The defeat extended Chelsea’s away game struggles, having lost six of their last seven matches on the road. The week, which began with hopes of an eighth-place finish, now threatens to relegate the Blues to the bottom half of the table.
