Babies v billions...Cup was there for taking... but Poch had zero effect

BEFORE the second half of extra-time, Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino called a huddle to end all huddles.

In fact, it was hardly a huddle, more a mass gathering (below), and the only surprise was that co-owner Todd Boehly had not found his way down to the field for the motivational meeting.

Todd likes to get involved in those sort of things. He will certainly be involved in more than a huddle or two over the next few days and weeks.

As much as they played their part in an entertaining Carabao Cup final, and as fantastic as Liverpool's inexperienced team performed, this defeat could eventually be filed as an embarrassment for such an expensive assembled Chelsea operation.

With Jurgen Klopp feeling compelled to bring on six substitutes, who cost a combined total of £ 15 million, Chelsea should have seized control.

The first three of four replacements used by Pochettino had a cumulative price-tag of £175m.

Three teenagers came from the Liverpool bench and the Klopp side that finished the game would have been barely recognisable to the average, non-red fan. And to some reds.

If ever there was a much-needed trophy to be won for former Tottenham manager Pochettino, this one was surely there for the taking.

Instead, his words in the