'The feeling is good': Mauricio Pochettino's final warning to Chelsea players after Liverpool defeat

Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino says the feeling his players have after the 4-1 defeat to Liverpool was good as it serves as a wake-up call to them. 

The 2021 Champions League winners will take on Jurgen Klopp's side again later this month for the League Cup final at Wembley and Pochettino admitted his side were poor and a repeat of that in the final will be disastrous.

He told reporters after the game at Anfield: "The performance wasn’t good from us.

“If we want to match them and compete with them in the final then we have to compete in a different way. They were more aggressive than us. They were better than us in all areas.

"Of course, it is going to be different at Wembley. The feeling the players have now is good because they know if they repeat this performance it will be the same result.

"We need to improve and we need to push ourselves a little bit more. We have to learn. If we want to compete with Liverpool, one of the best teams in England for many years, we have to raise our level.”

Chelsea had improved in the games leading up to Liverpool, beating Fulham, and thrashing Championship side Middlesbrough 6-2 on aggregate to reach the League Cup final before holding high-flying Aston Villa to an entertaining 0-0 draw in the FA. 

Their form on the road however needs improving with just one win in their last seven matches away from Stamford Bridge.