Former Arsenal striker Paul Merson didn’t hold back his criticism of Chelsea following their 1-0 loss to Liverpool in the EFL Cup final. Despite chances for both teams in regulation time, it was Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk who clinched victory with a header in the 118th minute.
Mauricio Pochettino’s Chelsea missed an opportunity to avenge their 2022 final loss against Liverpool, who were without several key players this time around. With Chelsea struggling in the Premier League, the FA Cup remains their best chance for silverware this season.
Merson expressed his disappointment on Twitter, emphasizing that winning the Champions League just three years ago should set higher expectations for Chelsea. He tweeted:
“It’s not long ago that Chelsea won the Champions League. People talk about the success of the club like it was 20 years ago. They won the Champions League three years ago, but the club is still asking for patience from the fans. It’s NOT good enough.”
Despite the setback, Pochettino and his team must quickly regroup as they face Leeds United in the FA Cup on Wednesday, aiming to secure a spot in the quarterfinals.
