‘It’s only the start’: Mauricio Pochettino praises his new Chelsea players after draw with Liverpool
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Chelsea's Argentinian head coach Mauricio Pochettino embraces Liverpool's Scottish defender Andrew Robertson.
PHOTO: AFP
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LONDON – Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino said he was delighted with the performance of the Blues in his first competitive match in charge – a 1-1 draw at home to Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday – and hinted at more new signings in the pipeline.
Pochettino – Chelsea’s third permanent manager in a year – said the first 20 minutes at Stamford Bridge were tough before his new-look side, featuring four debutants in the starting XI, started to grow in confidence.
“I’m so pleased with the performance overall,” said the Argentinian. “I think we deserved to win because we conceded only one shot on target against a team like Liverpool...
“It’s only the start, it’s only the beginning.”
Pochettino was happy with the way his players responded to going behind to a Luis Diaz opener in the 18th minute after a defence-splitting pass by Mohamed Salah.
Debutant defender Axel Disasi equalised in the 37th and Chelsea dominated for much of the second half.
“When some difficult moments appeared, the team was there and then the crowd was fantastic,” he added.
Chelsea, whose new American owners spent over £600 million (S$1 billion) last season only for the team to finish 12th, look set to sign Brighton & Hove Albion midfield anchor Moises Caicedo for a British record £115 million according to reports on Monday.
This, despite Liverpool announcing last week that they had a deal with the South Coast club to buy the player.
Pochettino – who previously managed Tottenham Hotspur but was given a rapturous welcome by the Blues fans before the game and an ovation after it – said he expected more new players to arrive, without giving specific names.
Like Pochettino, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said he was encouraged by what he saw from his side.
“I’m okay with the point... We had a really good start to the game, I liked that a lot,” said Klopp.
“Everything was there, what we’ve been working on. But then we opened the door for Chelsea, we lost the ball in one or two situations, which was unnecessary.
“Chelsea got better in the game... and we had to dig really deep and fight hard...
“It’s a first game at a tough place, and I tend to see it as a positive.”
With Liverpool searching for a winner in the second half, striker Salah was taken off in the 77th minute, marking the first time in seven seasons that he has failed to score in the first round of Premier League fixtures.
The Egyptian, who is tied with Alan Shearer, Wayne Rooney and Frank Lampard for most goals scored on opening day, appeared unhappy with the substitution.
He peeled the tape around his wrists and threw it to the ground, but Klopp played down the significance of his reaction.
He said: “I understand his disappointment, but... in that moment, we needed fresh legs, (the substitution) made sense for us...
“His reaction was absolutely okay.” REUTERS
