Mauricio Pochettino leapt to the defence of his Chelsea side after they were described as ‘bottlejobs’ by Gary Neville during yesterday’s EFL Cup final defeat to Liverpool.
Sky Sports pundit Neville made the remark in the immediate aftermath of Virgil van Dijk’s winning goal deep into extra-time after a pulsating game had ended goalless after 90 minutes.
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Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp threw on several young players late on – although Chelsea still had the younger starting and finishing XIs – which gave Neville a narrative he was happy to run with.
While watching a replay of Van Dijk’s header, he said: “In extra-time, it’s been Klopp’s kids against the blue billion pound bottlejobs.”
???? “We are a young team, he (Neville) knows the dynamics are different”
Mauricio Pochettino defends his team after Gary Neville called his team “bottlejobs” in their extra-time defeat to Liverpool. pic.twitter.com/TEhqFGPl2G
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) February 25, 2024
Pochettino was asked about the remark afterwards and was not impressed.
The Argentine said: “I didn’t hear what he said, but if you compare the age of the two grounds, I think it is similar.
“I have a good relationship with Gary and I don’t know if that’s how I can take this opinion. But I respect his opinion.
“Of course, we made a few changes with [Conor] Gallagher and [Ben] Chilwell in extra time, it is true we didn’t keep the energy of how we finished the second half.
“But for sure I feel proud. I feel proud of the players, I think they made a big effort. We are a young team and, there is nothing to compare with Liverpool (just) because they finished with also a few young players. I think it’s impossible (to compare the two sides).
‘He (Neville) knows the dynamics are completely different. I think it’s not fair to talk in this way, if he said that. We are going to keep strong and believe in this project.”
Absolute SCENES at Wembley! ????
Virgil van Dijk heads home in the dying moments of extra-time! ???? pic.twitter.com/t4KFoeljyR
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) February 25, 2024