Mauricio Pochettino insists Liverpool were ‘better than us in all areas’ after 4-1 defeat and warns his Chelsea side could face another thrashing in the EFL Cup final if they don’t ‘raise their level’

Mauricio Pochettino gave a grim assessment of his side’s performance after they were summarily defeated by Liverpool on Wednesday.

Just days after Jurgen Klopp announced this season would be the last of his nine-year spell on Merseyside, Chelsea traveled to Anfield as the Reds looked to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League.

Although still without talisman Mohamed Salah, the hosts wasted no time in demonstrating the gulf in quality between the two teams, with Diogo Jota putting them ahead after 23 minutes.

In just his second Premier League start, academy graduate Conor Bradley piled on the visitors’ misery by scoring Liverpool’s second and registering two assists.

In the second half, Dominik Szoboszlai and Luis Diaz increased the lead, with Christopher Nkunku registering a goal for the visitors.

Mauricio Pochettino admitted Chelsea would have to show a different side of themselves if they want to beat Liverpool in the EFL Cup final

The Blues put in a dismal performance as Liverpool reigned supreme at Anfield on Wednesday

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After the result, the Chelsea boss admitted his side had finished in second place in all areas of the pitch.

‘The performance was not good from us.’ said Pochettino.

“If we want to match them, we have to compete in a different way. They were more aggressive than us. They were better than us in every way.”

Later this month, the former Spurs boss will get the chance to win his first silverware in English football after guiding the Blues to the Carabao Cup final.

To do that they will have to battle Klopp’s rampaging side again, and the Argentine warned they will have to find another gear if they want to emerge victorious.

‘Of course it will be different at Wembley.’ He continued.

Argentinian added that his side will have to be at their best if they want to secure redemption at Wembley later this month

‘The feeling the players have now is good because they know that if they repeat this performance it will be the same result.

‘We have to improve and push ourselves a little bit more. We have to learn. If we want to compete with Liverpool, one of the best teams in England for years, we have to raise our level.’

The defeat at Anfield marked Chelsea’s ninth Premier League campaign of the season, with the club now 12 points clear of the European places.

Pochettino’s side are expected to regain some momentum when they host Wolves at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.