Every word Chelsea interim head coach Calum McFarlane just told us in his post-match press conference after the Blues 1-1 draw with Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday afternoon
Chelsea interim head coach Calum McFarlane has just finished his post-match press conference following the Blues’ 1-1 draw away at Liverpool.
It finished all square at Anfield after Wesley Fofana scored an equaliser for the visitors in the first half to cancel out Ryan Gravenberch’s opening goal. It was a much improved performance from a Chelsea perspective and McFarlane has just given us his thoughts on the draw.
Here is every word the interim boss had to say.
FOLLOW OUR CHELSEA FB PAGE! Latest Blues news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page
Point gained or two lost?
I thought the game could have went either way really at certain moments in that game. I think, probably being a little bit biased, I think we could have won the game. We had some good moments. I remember Enzo’s chance in the first half, Cucurella getting into some really good areas, crossing areas, another marginal offside, another penalty shout that I thought, personally, I know it’s a tough job for officials, but I think that’s a clear penalty. So, yeah, arguably we could have come away with three points.
What did you make of Levi Colwill’s performance today?
I’m glad you asked. I thought he was exceptional today. I thought there was a lot of good performances. I’m really pleased for Levi. He’s been injured for a long time. The first 90 minutes, Anfield away, when the team aren’t particularly in their best form, to go and put that level of performance in, it doesn’t only show his level of talent and quality, it shows his mentality. So, I’m really pleased for Levi, as I am for the whole group and the team. I thought it was a really good performance.
Has he got a chance of starting the FA Cup final?
Definitely, yeah.
Any chance Alejandro Garnacho and Pedro Neto will be fit for the final?
Yeah, we are very hopeful. You have to take these things day by day. We’re hoping that they’ll be available, but we don’t know at this moment in time. They’re going to get back into training, see how they feel, see how it looks. So, fingers crossed.
Was it needed ahead of the final to end the losing run?
Yeah, this club needs to win games of football, and we haven’t done that today. We’re not happy with the form and some of the recent performances. So, yeah, it’s nice to have a good, complete performance. It would have been better with a win, but when you come to these places, it’s really difficult. So, yeah, it’s positive.
Did you target Liverpool’s right side?
I haven’t seen the data. I think we were effective down both sides, in my honest opinion. I thought Cole [Palmer] and Malo [Gusto] caused them real problems with their rotation on the right, and I thought, yeah, you’re right in terms of Cucurella running off the ball and finding space with great movement. So, it was definitely something that we knew. Cucurella is not a winger. He has played there before, he told me, but even when he plays left-back or when he rolls into midfield, his movement off the ball is of a real high quality, the timing, the understanding of when to do it. So, it’s something that new with him in that position we could maybe expose. I thought he’s unlucky not to get an assist and create a lot of problems for them.
