Mauricio Pochettino expressed his pride despite losing to Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final and encouraged Chelsea to maintain their belief.

Mauricio Pochettino, the manager of Chelsea, expressed his pride in his players despite their 1-0 defeat to Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley.

The match ended 0-0 after 90 minutes, with Virgil van Dijk’s late header securing the win for Liverpool in extra time. Chelsea had several opportunities to score, with Cole Palmer and Conor Gallagher hitting the woodwork and Raheem Sterling having a goal disallowed for offside in the first half. However, as the game progressed, Chelsea’s players grew tired while Liverpool introduced fresh young talents from their academy.

Pochettino acknowledged that his team was desperate for the final whistle before van Dijk’s winning goal in the 118th minute. Despite the defeat, he defended his players against criticism and praised their efforts. He admitted that Chelsea deserved more at certain points in the game but emphasized the difficulty of winning when they failed to convert their numerous chances.

The manager also mentioned the changes made during extra time, with Gallagher and Ben Chilwell being substituted. He acknowledged that the team couldn’t maintain the same energy they had in the second half. However, Pochettino expressed his pride in his young team and compared them to Liverpool, who also fielded several young players.

Chelsea’s next match is against Championship club Leeds in the fifth round of the FA Cup on Wednesday. This competition represents their last opportunity to win a trophy this season. If they fail to do so, it will mark the third consecutive campaign without silverware. With the team currently in a mid-table position in the Premier League, the pressure on Pochettino continues to mount. Since taking charge in July 2023, he has struggled to win over the fan base.

Nevertheless, Pochettino urged the supporters to remain loyal as Chelsea aims to reclaim their position at the top of English and European football. He emphasized the need for the players and fans to feel the pain of defeat and use it as motivation to work harder and improve. Pochettino cited Liverpool as an example, highlighting how they experienced setbacks before eventually achieving success. He encouraged his team to believe in the project and remain determined to challenge top teams like Liverpool.

In conclusion, Pochettino acknowledged the disappointment of losing the Carabao Cup final but stressed the importance of learning from the experience and maintaining belief in the team’s future success.