Mauricio Pochettino, after Chelsea’s 4-1 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield, refrained from criticizing the referees. Despite goals from Diogo Jota and Conor Bradley putting the Blues behind at halftime, Pochettino was hesitant to assign blame, even as Chelsea’s two penalty calls were rejected.
He acknowledged Liverpool’s superiority, stating, “It’s not a conclusive excuse. They were worthy winners.” Pochettino commended Liverpool’s performance and emphasized their dominance throughout the game. While expressing the difficulties Chelsea faced in connecting and enjoying the game, he refrained from dwelling on the rejected penalties.
Pochettino highlighted an opportunity at 2-0 in the second half, acknowledging that a goal could have changed the dynamics. However, he insisted that even with a win or draw, he wouldn’t have been satisfied with Chelsea’s overall performance.
Looking ahead to the Carabao Cup final rematch at Wembley, Pochettino issued a stern warning to Chelsea, emphasizing the need for a significant improvement to compete for the trophy. He acknowledged the upcoming match’s neutral venue but stressed the importance of learning from the game against the best team in the league.
In conclusion, Pochettino emphasized the necessity for Chelsea to elevate their performance significantly for any chance at success in the rematch.
