Mauricio Pochettino said his young Chelsea side need to “feel the pain” of defeat following the agonising Carabao Cup final loss against Liverpool.
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Chelsea lose Carabao Cup final to Liverpool Pochettino points out fatal flaw in loss Chelsea wasted multiple chances in front of goal GettyWHAT HAPPENED?
Chelsea lost the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool as they conceded late in extra-time. Liverpool prevailed thanks to a header from Virgil Van Dijk as the match seemed to be slowly heading to a penalty shootout. After the game, Mauricio Pochettino spoke to the media in which he detailed one critical fault.
AdvertisementWHAT POCHETTINO SAID
Speaking to the media, the Chelsea boss said: "We created four, five, six big chances and we didn't score. In a game like today and in a final to score first, is a big advantage. We didn't score and that is a bit of a problem. We conceded in the last minute and it was difficult to react. They [the players] are professional, they need to feel the pain. We played for a trophy we didn't get. They need to feel the pain like us. The players feel the disappointment because we were so close to winning the game after 90 minutes."
"We need to take positive things, need to push, use this type of game to learn and be better. I think we really competed if you don't score with the chances we had it's difficult to win the final. That is why, we lost the final we need to be clinical in front of goal and we congratulate Liverpool and keep going. The way you lose is so painful but now we need to keep going and keep moving. They scored and we didn't score."
GettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE
The problem with finishing isn't a new one for Pochettino's side as they have struggled all throughout the season. While the squad hasn't struggled to create chances, they have struggled to put the chances past the opposition goalkeeper. The loss has now, more or less, confirmed that Pochettino will not stay at the club past the end of the season, given that he isn't shown the door before then.
WHAT NEXT FOR CHELSEA?
The Chelsea players will be eager to dust off their painful loss and look to turn their attention towards their upcoming FA Cup fifth-round match against Leeds United on Wednesday, February 28. The FA Cup now remains the only hope for the Blues to not go two straight seasons without silverware.
