Pochettino: 'I am both pleased and disappointed'

"We've started the season fantastically," Chelsea manager Pochettino told the BBC after the 1-1 draw with Liverpool. "I think we deserved a better result. We are pleased, but at the same time disappointed because Chelsea want to win. This is just the beginning and I am satisfied with the performance of the players."

Chelsea and Liverpool have drawn for the fifth time in a row in the Premier League. Liverpool started better with a goal from Luis Diaz in the 18th minute. The visitors would have made it 2-0 if Mohamed Salah hadn't been penalized for offside for the ball into the net afterwards.

The game turned around when defender Axel Disasi scored for Chelsea on his Premier League debut. Since then, Chelsea have dominated and created more chances in the second half. Despite holding the ball 65%, the home team could not earn more goals and accepted a 1-1 draw.

"We had a difficult start, but we improved in the game and played the way we wanted to," Pochettino continued. "Early in the game, we made some mistakes when they pressed well. Luckily we didn't concede the second goal, because then the game would be very different. Over time, we controlled the game and pushed. Liverpool are getting deeper and deeper into the home field."

The match against Liverpool was the first time the Argentine coach returned to the English Premier League after four years. He made a splash when he led Tottenham in the 2014-2019 period, helping the club to continuously rank in the top 4 of the English Premier League, reach the 2014-2015 League Cup final and the 2018-2019 Champions League final.

"It's great to be back in the Premier League after four years away," said the 51-year-old coach. "I enjoyed the game against Liverpool. The whole team responded well to the difficult challenge. We only conceded with their only shot on target."

Chelsea will find the first three points under Pochettino in the second round against West Ham at London Stadium in a week. If they can't win, a more obvious opportunity will come when they receive rookie Luton Town in the third round.