Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca points to Anfield atmosphere as key refereeing decisions go against Blues in Liverpool defeat – with Jadon Sancho denied penalty

The Blues went down 2-1 against Liverpool in a closely fought Premier League clash on Sunday at Anfield. Mohamed Salah and Curtis Jones were on target for the Reds while Nicolas Jackson scored the visitors’ solitary goal. Chelsea boss Maresca, however, expressed his displeasure over some of the refereeing decisions while claiming the intimidating atmosphere at Anfield might have influenced the officials’ calls.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Arne Slot’s side were awarded two penalties in the game, one of which was overturned by VAR, while Sancho was denied a spot-kick despite a rough challenge from Trent Alexander-Arnold inside the box. Sancho was also subbed off at half-time as Pedro Neto was introduced.

  WHAT ENZO MARESCA SAID

  Speaking to reporters after the game, the Italian coach said, “Sometimes in this stadium, the decision is also for the noise of the crowd. The referees are there to make decisions, sometimes they are right and sometimes they are wrong. Sometimes you have the feeling from outside that some of the decisions are for the noise. But overall they were OK.”

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  WHAT NEXT FOR CHELSEA?

  With the Blues’ seven-match unbeaten run coming to an end, they will now aim to get back to winning ways on Thursday as they take on Panathinaikos in a Conference League clash.