Pochettino and Klopp both have work to do in transfer market after draw

13 August 2023 , 19:19

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Pochettino and Klopp both have work to do in transfer market after draw

The embrace at the final whistle told its own story.

Mauricio Pochettino and Jurgen Klopp gave each other a huge hug after a pulsating battle which ended all square. There were plenty of unanswered questions and frustrations but relief they got a point.

Chelsea still look a work in progress and they are crying out for top transfer target Moises Caicedo to anchor a midfield which, for long periods, struggled to get a foothold on the game.

Liverpool also look like a team in transition and, despite their summer rebuild, are a long way from the finished article. It is little wonder they have been chasing Caicedo and also want Romeo Lavia to bolster their season.

Mo Salah went off in a strop as he was substituted late on and both managers look as if they will have challenging seasons on their hands for different reasons.

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Liverpool look further down the road because it is a familiar looking back four, dangerous attack but, while Alexis Mac Allister was good looking forward, he was undone defensively.

But they will be fun to watch again and will arguably be happier with the point from the seventh consecutive draw between these two teams who seem incredibly evenly matched.

Chelsea have had so many comings and goings in the transfer market that the team lacks identity and familiar faces. Enzo Fernandez played well in midfield. Raheem Sterling was much better.

Pochettino and Klopp watch on from the touchline

But Conor Gallagher played with the uncertainty of a player who does not know where his future lies and Carney Chukwuemeka is a long way from being the finished article.

Having said all of that, with better finishing, a bit of luck and also millimetres in VAR terms, both sides could have won the game and started the season in winning fashion.

Liverpool were much the better team early on as Salah hit the crossbar, they opened up Chelsea and it was no surprise when they took an 18th minute lead.

Mac Allister started the move as he spread the play brilliantly with a lovely pass wide to Salah. His low cross put the ball on a plate for Luis Diaz to score at the back post. Diaz missed so much of last season through injury that he might feel like a new signing this season.

Liverpool were 1-0 up and ripping through Chelsea’s midfield as Pochettino’s new-look defence also creaked under the pressure. Salah had the ball in the net a second time but VAR ruled he was offside.

Then Chelsea gained momentum from the let off. Liverpool did not clear their lines, Ben Chilwell headed the ball back into the box and debutant Axel Disasi to score the 37th minute equaliser from close range.

Suddenly it was all Chelsea and then it was their turn to be denied by another VAR call. Chilwell had the ball in the net but Pochettino’s touchline celebrations were curtailed by an offside decision.

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But from then on it was all near misses and nearly moments. No-one fits into that category better than Chelsea’s new £30m striker Nicolas Jackson. Bags of potential, did some good things but not quite the finished article. Rather like Chelsea.

Jackson scooped a big chance over the bar while Chelsea missed half chances and yet it was Darwin Nunez who went closest at the end when his shot was deflected wide.

Klopp was honest enough afterwards to admit Chelsea were the better team in the second half and he was happy enough with a point.

But both managers will know their teams will have to grow and develop a lot for them to reach the heights expected this season.

John Cross