Mauricio Pochettino slammed for questioning the lack of criticism of Liverpool’s defeat to Arsenal… as pressure mounts on the under-fire Chelsea boss
- Pochettino compared Liverpool’s loss to Arsenal to Chelsea’s defeat at Anfield
- The Chelsea boss questioned why his side faced more criticism than Liverpool
- Chelsea are a mess and it’s hard to find the answers… but they have to keep the faith and stay patient – It’s All Kicking Off podcast
Mauricio Pochettino has questioned why Liverpool faced little criticism in the wake of their loss to Arsenal, after his Chelsea were scrutinised after being thrashed at Anfield last week.
The under-fire Chelsea boss made the comparison ahead of Chelsea’s FA Cup fourth round replay against Aston Villa on Wednesday.
Pochettino suggested Liverpool’s 3-1 loss away at Arsenal was similar to the Blues 3-1 defeat at Anfield last Wednesday.
The Argentine claimed the results received a different reaction, with the Reds seeming to escape scrutiny.
‘When the expectation is different to the reality, it’s difficult,’ Pochettino said.
Mauricio Pochettino questioned why Liverpool were not criticised like his Chelsea side
Pochettino highlighted the criticism his Chelsea side had faced after losing 4-1 to Liverpool
The Argentine claimed Liverpool had little criticism following their 3-1 defeat against Arsenal
‘After losing to Liverpool, it was “massive, massive fail, oh look at Chelsea how bad it is”.
‘When Liverpool lost to Arsenal, I heard nothing but it was a similar result to when we played against Liverpool.’
Liverpool supporters were quick to mock Pochettino, whose side slipping into the bottom half following a 4-2 home defeat against Wolves on Sunday.
Fans accused Pochettino of deflection tactics with Chelsea now 11th in the Premier League, while Liverpool remain top of the table following only a second loss of the campaign.
‘LFC have lost 2 all season, Chelsea 2 in 5 days. There’s 10 places and 20 points between the 2 teams, why’s he making his failings about Liverpool,’ one Liverpool fan wrote on social media.
‘If only we had some kind of system that tallied up wins etc and so could explain why Liverpool didn’t get the same criticism,’ added another.
‘This is gonna sound crazy, but hear me out Liverpool are top of the league and have only lost two league games in 10 months. Chelsea are 11th and have lost twice just in the last week,’ said a third.
‘That might be why. Just a random thought.
Liverpool fans mocked Pochettino for the comparison with the Reds remaining top of the table
‘This is brilliant, Liverpool lose for the first time in 15 league games and he’s having a go Jesus that’s deflection at its finest,’ a fourth wrote.
Chelsea were booed off after the 4-2 home defeat to Wolves on Sunday, which saw the visitors leapfrog the Blues in the table.
The result has increased pressure on Pochettino amid an underwhelming first season in charge.
Pochettino is not thought to be under immediate danger of losing his job, with the Argentine still having 18 months remaining on his contract at Stamford Bridge.
Mail Sport reported that the club are concerned sacking Pochettino and his staff could put them in danger of breaching Premier League spending rules.
The club are hoping to get to the season’s end before performing a review, with European football remaining a possibility.
Chelsea will face Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final, while Pochettino will hope to lead his side to a victory over Aston Villa in the FA Cup fourth round to ease growing pressure.