Pedro Neto sends eight-word message to Liverpool as Chelsea reality clear

Pedro Neto has sent a defiant eight-word message to Liverpool ahead of Chelsea’s clash against the Premier League champions at the weekend.

Arne Slot’s side visit Stamford Bridge on Saturday on the back of back-to-back defeats. Chelsea, meanwhile, beat Benfica 1-0 on Tuesday night in the Champions League.

A first-half own goal was all that separated the Blues from Jose Mourinho’s visitors in a game of few clear-cut chances but, after being outclassed in their opener at Bayern Munich, this win got Enzo Maresca’s side back on track after three defeats in four in all competitions. Neto and Alejandro Garnacho combined in the 18th minute to force the only goal from midfielder Richard Rios, who bounced the ball past his own goalkeeper as it fizzed across the six-yard box.

“We learned a lot from the first game and we are really happy,” Neto told Chelsea’s website. “I think the team did really well. We knew the difficulties we had in the first game (3-1 loss at Bayern on September 17), and we tried to work hard to manage moments in this game. I think today we showed the resilience of the team.

“Benfica are a tough team to face at home. We knew we would have to work hard tonight. We played well, we could’ve controlled the match more with the quality we have, but we are really happy with the three points.”

Chelsea had taken the match to Bundesliga champions Bayern two weeks ago in what was their first Champions League outing in nearly two and a half years, but were undone by poor concentration at key moments and their opponents’ greater experience. There were no such tribulations on Tuesday as, even amid the circus surrounding three-time Premier League winner Mourinho’s homecoming, they got the job done with minimal fuss.

For head coach Maresca the downside was a third red card in four matches, Joao Pedro dismissed in the final minute of added time for a high boot which earned him a second yellow card. The forward will miss Ajax’s visit to Stamford Bridge later this month.

But otherwise it was a satisfactory night as the team registered a first Champions League win since the side managed by Graham Potter beat Borussia Dortmund in March 2023. For Neto, it was further evidence of his growing indispensability to the side, particularly with Maresca facing an injury crisis ahead of Saturday’s Premier League game against champions Liverpool.

He said: “I always try to improve and do the best for the team, and I think today we worked hard as a group, and we are really happy. It’s a really important win.

“A win in this competition, the Champions League, shows what we can do, and I think we can do even better. We will be ready to play against Liverpool.”

Those final eight words are a clear indication of Neto’s mindset right now. The Portuguese international will be ready for Liverpool and so will the rest of the Chelsea squad.