He said: “I think we all need to get behind Jordan, the manager, the staff and the fans”.
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The match was feisty for a friendly, with the referee issuing six yellow cards, and Fabregas was deservedly sent off for a late lunge on Klavan in the 70th minute.
Fabregas also reportedly went into the Liverpool dressing room to see Klavan following the game. “I know Fabregas is a good man, a good boy and it is not a player to have this type of situation”.
Youngster Ovie Ejaria looked bright for the Reds, but it was Chelsea who were carving the better of the chances throughout the opening period, with Fabregas and Victor Moses particularly threatening.
“I was pleased with my team because I saw the right spirit and a lot of positive things, but I know and my players know that we can improve a lot”.
He said: “At Chelsea there is a huge determination to make sure we are challenging for honours next season”.
“I thought maybe it made sense for him to fly home to Liverpool and after eight or 10 days when we come back we can talk about it”.
“And when I put my thumb up – and I only can do this when the financial things are agreed – and the player joins us or leaves us that’s how it is”. Roberto Firmino until now has played a fantastic pre-season, but today it was not the most wonderful day for him, but he is a great player too.
A lack of match fitness was blamed for the rash of late and mistimed challenges that led to so many bookings, and Jurgen Klopp said his main concern was the health of Grujic, who he said could not remember the game.
Klopp has concerns over another new signing, Marko Grujic, after the midfielder was taken to hospital with suspected concussion after a collision with Bertrand Traore towards the end of the first half.
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That said, it can not be overlooked that Chelsea have strengthened with the signings of N’Golo Kante and Michy Batshuayi this summer and have recruited one of the finest managers in Europe to oversee the coming season’s rebuilding job. Sometimes in life if you are too late you get a red card, especially in football.
