Pochettino urges fairness amid spotlight on Klopp’s anfield farewell

Ahead of Sunday’s Carabao Cup final between Chelsea and Liverpool, Blues’ manager Mauricio Pochettino has called on the match officials not to be influenced by the focus on Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp’s impending departure.

Klopp will leave Anfield in the summer after close to a decade in charge, and Sunday represents the first opportunity this season to add to his haul of seven trophies. However, Pochettino insisted his team’s motivation stems from their desire to win for Chelsea, rather than spoil Liverpool’s farewell celebrations.

The Argentinian admitted dissatisfaction with refereeing decisions in a recent league clash between the sides. He felt Chelsea should have been awarded penalties for challenges by Virgil van Dijk on Conor Gallagher and Christopher Nkunku. “Two penalties were not given. Duels, 50-50s, always for another colour. Always red,” he was quoted.

Pochettino suggested the pressure lies not with Klopp, but rather with those eager to celebrate the Liverpool manager’s successful tenure. “It is not pressure for him. Maybe it is for the people who want to celebrate with Liverpool,” he said.

The Chelsea boss made it clear that he wants officials to ensure fairness and avoid undue influence from the fanfare surrounding Klopp’s exit. “I want to be treated in a fair way,” he asserted while praising Liverpool’s achievements under Klopp. “What I want in Wembley is to not feel the pressure of people around,” he added.