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The Chelsea boss calls on the referee and his assistants to make fair decisions at Wembley after the Blues’ misgivings with decisions when both sides met at Anfield in January.
Chelsea head coach Mauricio Pochettino has appealed to Carabao Cup final referee Chris Kavanagh to make fair decisions in Sunday’s decider against Liverpool.
The Blues boss made the remarks ahead of another meeting with the Reds after the West London side were appalled by Paul Tierney’s calls when both sides met in the Premier League on January 31.
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Carabao Cup final: What Pochettino said about officials before facing Liverpool
Chelsea felt they were denied two clear penalties at Anfield after Virgil van Dijk’s seeming fouls on Conor Gallagher and Christopher Nkunku, while several subjective decisions went the way of Liverpool.
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15:22 - 23.02.2024
Carabao Cup final: Pochettino reveals how Chelsea have improved since Liverpool beatdown
Ahead of Sunday's League Cup final, the Chelsea head coach has given insight into his team’s response since losing heavily to Jurgen Klopp’s side at Anfield in January.
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21:10 - 23.02.2024
Carabao Cup: ‘Liverpool will face a different Chelsea’ - Gusto warn Klopp's men ahead of final
As Chelsea gears up for a pivotal clash in the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool, Malo Gusto, the young Chelsea defender, is confident that the Blues are a transformed team, poised to use this match as a springboard for future triumphs.
The encounter happened only days after Jurgen Klopp announced he would be leaving the club he joined in 2016, leaving Pochettino and his players frustrated at the perceived favouritism of the home side in the 4-1 loss on Merseyside.
“Maybe there are people that want to celebrate with Liverpool as he is leaving,” Pochettino said via the Liverpool Echo. “What we need to be sure is that we are going to compete and for the referees to be fair in every single decision.
“When we played against Liverpool in Liverpool, I think not one key decision was for us. Two penalties were not given. Duels, 50-50s were always for the other colour, always red. I want to be treated in a fair way.
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“I am the first to say Liverpool are amazing, and Klopp is one of the best coaches in the world but after my last experience playing there, what I want at Wembley is to go there and for nobody to feel the pressure, to play the game and the best will win. Not to feel the pressure, [from] people around.”
Looking ahead for Chelsea
The Blues may be adrift of a potential Champions League qualification place, even if they could have a say in the destination of the Premier League title, with a meeting against Arsenal to come, having already played out a 1-1 draw with Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.
Pochettino’s men may focus on further domestic cup success in 2023-24, with a 5th Round FA Cup clash against Leeds United to follow days after Sunday’s EFL Cup decider with Klopp’s men.
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