Mauricio Pochettino delivers Liverpool verdict ahead of first Premier League game in charge of Chelsea

After more than a month of planning and patience since his official confirmation appointment, Mauricio Pochettino has finally taken the reigns at Stamford Bridge.

Having accrued a wealth of experience at the likes of Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur and Paris Saint-Germain, the Chelsea hierarchy felt the 51-year-old was the ideal candidate to bring the club back to its lofty heights of the past.

The Blues finished in a disappointing 12th place last season, carrying out one of their most abject season’s since the inception of the Premier League.

And after receiving a warm welcome at Cobham on Monday, Pochettino was keen to address both Chelsea fans and players alike.

In an interview with the club’s in-media team, the new boss conveyed his plans and objectives for the next few years in west London.

“We are excited to work with a very young team, with a different approach than in the past. But I think we all need to understand that we have to work really hard and create a very good atmosphere at the training ground to build success for the team in the next few years.”

However in the more immediate future, the Argentinian’s competitive tenure will begin on August 13, opening with a home fixture against stern opposition and old rivals, Liverpool.

“We will be ready for the first game against Liverpool – and it is going to be so exciting to have the first Premier League game at Stamford Bridge.

“We will face a team that’s very good in Liverpool, I know very well from the past. Now it’s important to visualise ourselves at Stamford Bridge. We know very well the stadium and we know with the fans we will create a good atmosphere.”

Not only will the new boss be seeking a positive result in his first game, but will perhaps be on the hunt for a degree of vengeance too.

Pochettino faced the most devastating loss of his career at the hands of Liverpool in 2019, falling to a 2-0 defeat against the Merseyside club in the Champions League Final with his former side Tottenham.

Not only Pochettino, but Chelsea also know the feeling of heart-break at the hands of Liverpool in recent years, having failed to beat the Reds in their last six attempts, suffering two domestic cup final losses on penalties in 2022, in the League Cup and FA Cup respectively.

And the Argentine will be hoping to right the wrongs of those results with his first competitive fixture at his new club.