Antonio Conte has hailed his Chelsea side as “brilliant” following their 1-0 victory over Liverpool this afternoon.
The Blues edged a tight affair at Stamford Bridge with Olivier Giroud’s first-half header proving enough to earn all three points for the home side.
Jurgen Klopp’s men threatened throughout, however were denied by some brilliant Chelsea defending and shot-stopping from keeper Thibaut Courtois.
“I think we must be pleased because the players played a really good game and usually when you have to play a must-win game it’s not easy,” said Conte, “It’s normal to be a bit nervous, and today was a must-win game, but not with a simple opponent, against Liverpool, who just reached the Champions League final.
“They are very dangerous with the three strikers and it’s impressive the way they attack and have combinations between them. Today we must be pleased. I saw great desire and a great will to keep our Champions League hopes alive.
“I think we played as a team and not with only one player against Salah. He’s a really important player but it’s not only Salah, Firmino is a great player and Mane as well. They have three top strikers. They’ve scored 70 goals with these three players and reached the final of the Champions League. You can see great work from Jurgen, I think it’s right to give them a great compliment because they are a very good team.”
Big win and great performance today! we go again Wednesday 👊🏿 #CFC pic.twitter.com/geYztXxAA5
— Victor Moses (@VictorMoses) May 6, 2018
The win keeps alive Chelsea’s hopes of a top four finish, with the the three points taking the Blues to within two points of Tottenham Hotspur and only three of Liverpool themselves, who have now failed to win in three Premier League games.
Conte continued: “One month ago it was impossible to imagine we could arrive at the end and fight for a place in the Champions League, now there is the hope because we have been getting three points in every game and our opponents are dropping points.
“Our future is not in our hands but for sure we are putting pressure on the teams above us.”