Kai Havertz has admitted Graham Potter’s sacking further dented the confidence of the Chelsea squad.
The Blues were held to a 0-0 draw by Liverpool in their first match since the Englishman’s departure, with Bruno Saltor taking interim charge as the club’s search for a permanent replacement continues.
It was a familiar tale for Chelsea despite the managerial change, with poor finishing costly once again and they remain 11th in the Premier League after a fourth straight goalless draw against Liverpool.
Havertz had a frustrating night in front of goal, poking his biggest chance straight at Alisson. Although the ball then bounced back off him and into the empty net, it was ruled out by VAR after replays showed it had hit his arm.
The German was asked after the match whether he and his team-mates lacked confidence after dropping yet more points.
“Maybe yes, I think in the moment especially after the loss at the weekend we missed a lot of confidence and [the sacking] doesn’t make it easier,” Havertz told Sky Sports. “But we are all professionals and we have to score. We have to keep on pushing.
“We have to do the job on the pitch but when you have a manager for the long term it’s easier for us as players.
“We have the faces out there, everyone sees us and we are all very frustrated to see Graham go but we have to accept the situation.”
There is not much time for Chelsea to quickly regain that confidence before the focus shifts to Europe and the club’s final chance of salvaging something from what has proved to be a miserable season.
The Blues travel to face Real Madrid next week in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie, before the return fixture takes play a week later in west London.
“There are nine games to play in the league and Chelsea doesn’t deserve to be 11th,” Havertz said.
“It’s not nice to be there but we all have to stick together. We are in the quarter-final of the Champions League and we have to get as much confidence as possible in the upcoming game.
“As players on the pitch we need the fans as well. We are in the last eight of the best teams in Europe. It’s not nice but we have to stick together.”
Bruno meanwhile was full of praise for his players after the match for how they responded to the upheaval at the club in recent days.
“These have been emotional days and the players have been able to keep focused,” Bruno said. “It’s a credit to them.”
On Potter’s exit, he told BBC Sport: “It’s been hard, we are very close friends. It’s difficult to stand here without him but I’m trying my best.”
