Frank Lampard looking long-term after Chelsea's defeat to Liverpool despite transfer ban frustrations

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Joe Krishnan22 September 2019

Chelsea manager Frank Lampard believes the club's long-term vision will eventually pay dividends after watching his side go down to league leaders Liverpool.

Goals from Trent Alexander-Arnold and Roberto Firmino gave the Reds at commanding two-goal lead before the hosts rallied in the second half, with N'Golo Kante's strike proving to be nothing more than a consolation in the end.

The Blues are still without a home victory in all competitions this season and it was their second defeat at Stamford Bridge in the space of five days following their loss to Valencia on Tuesday.

Despite this, the players were applauded at the final whistle - marking a clear shift in the fans' expectations compared to previous years when winning was the only acceptable outcome.

After the game, Lampard admitted Chelsea must turn around their home form but explained how the club's transfer ban has affected his short-term plans for the team.

Vision: Lampard says Chelsea are building for the long-term. Photo: AFP/Getty Images
AFP/Getty Images

"I thought we were the better team," Lampard told Sky Sports. "We had more energy in our game, character and spirit. That’s why the crowd applauded at the end even though we lost.

"Let's take this forward. If we play like that week in week out, we've got a real good chance [of winning at home].

"[We've had] no home wins and we want to change that, and I believe we will if we play like that. The reality is younger players have come into the team. We lost two number nines [Gonzalo Higuain and Alvaro Morata] we had last year and we can't change that.

"People say the [transfer] ban is a bad thing for Chelsea and in the short-term, of course [it is].

"But in the long-term if we can have a vision, with the likes of [Fikayo] Tomori, Mason [Mount], Tammy [Abraham], Callum [Hudson-Odoi] and Ruben [Loftus-Cheek], then hopefully it will be really good for us.

Future: Tammy Abraham has scored seven goals in the Premier League this season. Photo: Getty Images
Getty Images

"In the short-term there might be occasions with things like today happen."

Lampard's men have the chance to make amends at home to Grimsby in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday before hosting Brighton at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

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