Lampard upbeat despite Chelsea defeat

Frank Lampard does not believe injuries suffered by Andreas Christensen and Emerson Palmieri during Chelsea’s defeat against Liverpool are causes for concern.

Emerson, back after a hamstring problem he recently picked up on international duty, went off after just 14 minutes.

And fellow defender Christensen was helped from the pitch shortly before half-time after falling awkwardly as he blocked a shot.

Blues boss Lampard said Christensen’s injury was “a bang on the knee” but “not too major” and that Emerson appeared to have aggravated his previous problem.

Lampard also said a slight knock Tammy Abraham appeared to pick up before going off later in the game was not significant.

Chelsea were beaten 2-1 at Stamford Bridge, where Trent Alexander-Arnold and Roberto Firminho score first-half goals for Liverpool.

The Blues fought back after the interval and fit-again N’Golo Kante pulled a goal back with a cracking strike.

Lampard said: “It’s hard to accept congratulations after a loss but we must say that the way we played in the second half was towards where we want to be.

“Energy, passion, moving the ball quickly, changing the play, getting crosses in the box – things that we work on.

“At half-time when 2-0 down you could take it on the chin and say ‘this team’s too good and we can’t turn this around’. We did the opposite, which I’m proud of.

“We need points too. That kind of performance there will amass us points.”