Don't judge me on winning titles: Chelsea's Pochettino

Juergen Klopp's Liverpool stand in the way of a first trophy since co-owner Todd Boehly bought the club in May 2022 and began a radical overhaul.

The Argentinian is also aiming to win silverware for the first time in England, having been runner-up in this competition to his current club in 2015 while in charge of Tottenham.

And he pointed to the example of his opposite number on Sunday as a coach who enjoyed a strong reputation even before his first trophy win.

Klopp defeated Pochettino's Spurs in the 2019 Champions League final almost four years into his Anfield reign, having missed out on the previous year's Premier League title by a single point to Manchester City.

"I think it's not going to increase my popularity or the way the fans are going to see us," said Pochettino on his team's prospects on Sunday.

"Klopp was good before he arrived at Liverpool. He had three or four years that he didn't win. Now he's won the Champions League and the Premier League.

"I don't judge a coach or coaching staff for winning titles. It's about being competitive and winning, but there are too many factors that influence.

"If you have good player, you should be close to winning. Maybe everyone will say you're the best coach in the world. But everyone knows it's not like this.

"The thing is to be in the right moment, in the right club that trusts in you with the tools and the possibility to win.

"Some fans will say you're not good because you didn't win. For me, it's not the way to judge a coaching staff."

Chelsea's indifferent season has taken on a new complexion after three impressive away performances.

Consecutive 3-1 wins at Aston Villa in the FA Cup and Crystal Palace in the league were followed by a fine 1-1 draw against champions Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium a week ago.

Prior to that, the team was booed off by supporters at the end of their most recent home fixture, a 4-2 loss to Wolves at Stamford Bridge, days after they were thrashed 4-1 at Anfield.

Meanwhile, Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister is hoping to add to his World Cup winner's medal with one from the Carabao Cup.

The Argentina international intends to build a trophy room at his home and while his victory alongside Lionel Messi in Qatar will take pride of place, his first silverware for the club he joined in the summer would still mean a lot to him.

"It will be my first final with Liverpool and first opportunity to win something so it is going to be something very special for me and the team," he said.

"I look at it (his World Cup winner's medal) every single day. That is what it means to me and to the country as well.

"It is the biggest game ever for a football player so it is something that I am really proud of and hopefully next week the Carabao Cup medal can be something I will look at as well.

"My plan is to one day create a little museum at home. I have a replica of the World Cup, the medal and some more trophies - all in a safe place for now - and my plan is to be able to have a place for them where I can always see them."

Australian Associated Press