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Liverpool are 10 points above Chelsea in the Premier League table.
Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior claimed his players’ performance was ‘unacceptable’ as they slipped further away in the race for Champions League qualification.
The Stamford Bridge side fell to a 3-0 loss at Brighton & Hove Albion - their fifth successive Premier League loss. It leaves Chelsea in sixth place, seven points behind Liverpool who now have a game in hand. Should the Reds earn victory over Crystal Palace at Anfield on Saturday, they will go 10 points clear with four fixtures remaining.
Rosenior was appointed Chelsea boss in January after the controversial departure of Enzo Maresca. But Rosenior now finds himself under pressure three months into the job.
And the former Hull City head coach claimed that his troops ‘lacked spirit and belief’. Rosenior said: “In the basics, in the pride that you should have in wearing the shirt, that was unacceptable. I've defended the players and I am accountable. I've always said that. After tonight, I think the players as well need to have a look in the mirror for what they put in. You can talk about tactics, tactics come after the basics. Having more courage to play, winning duels, winning headers, tackles, conceding terrible goals. That was an unacceptable performance tonight.
“Judging off that performance, it looks that way. I won't lie. That was unacceptable. I don't feel there's a disconnect between me and the players. We work very closely with them in training, in individual meetings, team meetings. We are giving everything to the players. There is a lack of spirit, a lack of belief that can create that perspective that makes it look a certain way. I can't argue with that at the moment because the run we're on is unacceptable and that performance definitely was as well.”
Chelsea will travel to Liverpool on Saturday 9 May. However, at that stage, the race for Champions League qualification could be over should the Reds beat Crystal Palace and earn victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday 3 May.
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