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Chelsea vs Liverpool: Antonio Conte warns players and club against repeating last season's mistakes

After losing 2-1 to Liverpool at Stamford Bridge, Conte said that everyone at the club must take responsiiblity for the defeat, including the players and club officials.

Jack Pitt-Brooke

Stamford Bridge

Saturday 17 September 2016 12:54 BST

Antonio Conte takes charge of his fifth match as Chelsea manager against Liverpool (Getty)

Antonio Conte warned his Chelsea players that they are risking a repeat of last season’s disaster unless they work harder, after seeing them beaten 2-1 at home by Liverpool.

This was Conte’s first defeat as Chelsea manager and he went on the attack afterwards, insisting that the defeat was not just his fault but belonged to everyone who worked at the club. Repeatedly referring to last season, he pointed to “something strange” that caused that 10th placed finish, telling his players that they must “feel the danger” or else it might happen again.

Conte’s comments were a very pointed warning to his players that their underperformance last season was not just a freak, but a reflection of problems at the club. He made clear that problems here lie far deeper than the manager, implying that other parts of the club have their own responsibility for underperformance.

“It is not important that this is my first defeat,” said Conte, spreading the blame. “It is our first defeat. This defeat is a Chelsea defeat: the players, the manager, the staff, the people who work at this club.” Chelsea only signed three senior players this summer, Ngolo Kante, Michy Batshuayi and David Luiz, and it is no secret that Conte wanted more in the transfer market than that.

Conte brought up Chelsea’s dismal 2015-16 campaign, the worst by a reigning champion in recent years, as if to point out that the deep-seated problems that caused that have not been adequately addressed yet.

“We must not forget last season,” Conte said. “It's important, this. Last season was a bad season. I don't want to repeat it the last season. I repeat, when you finish the season in 10th place, there is something strange. It's not natural. It's not simple. When you finish in 10th place, it means that you have to work very hard to improve to make sure you don't repeat the bad season.”

Conte promised that he would continue to work hard at Cobham, but said that there was a burden on everyone at the club to do more and face up. “The manager, the players, all the people who work for Chelsea must take their responsibility,” he said. “Because we win together and we lose together. I don't want to repeat a bad season like last year.”

Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings

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1/24Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings

Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings

CHELSEA: Asmir Begovic - 6 out of 10

Made several fine stops to deny Liverpool but couldn’t prevent Coutinho’s superb effort from squeezing past him just before the break. Was let down by his defence for the visitors’ two second-half goals.

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Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings

Kurt Zouma - 5 out of 10

Did well to stop the threat of Lallana and Moreno on the left flank in the first half - putting his body on the line to prevent Lucas’ near-post header from going in - but began to be put under more pressure from Coutinho in the second period and began to struggle at right back.

2015 Catherine Ivill - AMA

Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings

Cesar Azpilicueta - 7 out of 10

Set up Ramires’ opener with a superb cross that came after he had outrun Milner. Had his work cut out with Clyne regularly pushing forwards but defended well enough.

2015 Getty Images

Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings

Gary Cahill - 5 out of 10

Combined well with Terry to protect Begovic and stop the threat of Firmino in the first half but should have done more to close in on Coutinho and Benteke when they went for goal in the second.

2015 Getty Images

Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings

John Terry - 4 out of 10

The Chelsea captain was back to his best against the Reds with some solid defending in the first half, but then let himself down when he didn’t do enough to stop Coutinho from his getting his shot at goal before allowing Benteke the space and time to fire in Liverpool’s third goal.

2015 Getty Images

Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings

Ramires - 7 out of 10

Headed in Chelsea’s opener to give the home side the lead, but was beaten too easily by Coutinho in the build-up to Liverpool’s equaliser and should have done more to close him down.

Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings

John Obi Mikel - 6 out of 10

Helped provide cover for Chelsea’s defence in the first half, but was later brought off after picking up a yellow card.

2015 Getty Images

Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings

Oscar - 5 out of 10

Spent the first half largely on the left flank and while he didn’t get involved in Chelsea’s attacking play as much, he did his job at helping to keep Milner at bay while dealing with Clyne’s runs forwards. But the second half saw him struggle to replicate his first-half showing with Liverpool pressing well.

Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings

Willian - 6 out of 10

Was so often the driving force of Chelsea’s attacking play with his pace and tricky runs but had less of an impact in the second period.

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Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings

Eden Hazard - 4 out of 10

Played largely down the middle and despite a bright start, saw his impact wane and was eventually brought off in the 58th minute for Kenedy.

2015 Getty Images

Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings

Diego Costa - 5 out of 10

Was controlled by Skrtel and Sakho throughout the game and rarely proved a threat for the home side. He did well to head the ball off the line in second half but disappointed up front for Chelsea.

2015 Getty Images

Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings

From the bench: Kenedy - 5 out of 10

Within seconds of coming on, he threatened to score but hit his shot into the side netting. Didn't do much else of note

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Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings

LIVERPOOL: Simon Mignolet - 6 out of 10

May feel he could have done more to keep out Ramires’ opener but dealt with the rest of his tests well.

2015 AMA Sports Photo Agency

Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings

Nathaniel Clyne - 7 out of 10

Was one of Liverpool’s best sources of attacking play in the first half down the right flank, and was unlucky not to have been given a first-half penalty when his shot hit Terry’s arm. Defended well at right-back and was one of Liverpool’s best players on the pitch.

2015 AMA Sports Photo Agency

Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings

Martin Skrtel - 6 out of 10

llowed Azpilicueta to get his shot in to set up Ramires for the opener but, aside from that mistake, was superb to ensure Costa did not prove a threat for the home side.

2015 Liverpool FC

Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings

Mamadou Sakho - 7 out of 10

Like Skrtel, the centre-back used his physical presence to shackle Costa throughout the game.

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Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings

Alberto Moreno - 7 out of 10

Was outmuscled by Ramires in build-up to opener and will feel he could have done better, but he defended well at left-back while nearly getting a shot at goal in the second half following a fine run forwards.

2015 Liverpool FC

Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings

Lucas Leiva - 7 out of 10

Received a yellow for a challenge on Mikel, but the Brazilian worked tirelessly in the middle of the park to snuff out attacks and try and create some for the visitors. Saw an effort at goal cleared by Begovic.

2015 Getty Images

Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings

Emre Can - 6 out of 10

Looked frustrated by not being able to control the game in the first half and found himself escaping a yellow although he eventually got one for pulling back Willian. Despite an up-and-down first period marked by some sloppy passing, the midfielder came out from the break in better form and worked hard to keep a lid on the likes of Hazard and Willian.

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Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings

James Milner - 6 out of 10

Should have done more to stop Azpilicueta from getting past him and setting up Ramires for the opening goal, but he grew into the game and began giving Chelsea problems with his forays forwards.

2015 Getty Images

Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings

Adam Lallana - 6 out of 10

Tested Begovic with a few shots in the first half with his pace proving crucial in helping the visitors build up attacks from the right flank and also carried out his defensive duties well – making a superb clearance to deny Zouma in the second half.

2015 Getty Images

Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings

Philippe Coutinho - 9 out of 10

Scored both of Liverpool’s goals –the first after weaving his way into space and getting past Ramires to net a brilliant solo effort before then scoring the winner in the 73rd minute. Was Liverpool’s star man.

2015 Getty Images

Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings

Roberto Firmino - 7 out of 10

After a relatively quiet opening period in which he kept dropping deep to try and find the ball, the forward provided the assist for Coutinho’s opener in the dying seconds of the first half. He was brought off for Benteke in the latter stages of the game, but Klopp will see the Brazilian’s showing as positive going forwards.

2015 Liverpool FC

Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings

From the bench: Christian Benteke - 8 out of 10

Secured the win with his well-taken goal from Ibe’s cross after being brought on as a second-half substitute. Proved the impact change from Klopp.

Conte promised to work on the team’s defending and concentration, which let Chelsea down again on Friday night. “We must pay attention in every single moment of the game, in every minute,” he said. “I'm the coach so I must work more on this aspect. Now, it's not enough. Because this is not the first time this has happened. We must feel the danger in every single moment of the game, if we want to win and think like a great team. Chelsea is a great team, but we must show this in every single game, to pay attention and be focused.”

Although the impression he gave was that Chelsea’s problems go deeper than that.

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