Chelsea boss Frank Lampard says Christian Pulisic was unable to start against Liverpool due to a thigh injury.
The American came off the bench with Liverpool leading 4-1 at Anfield but his impact was instant as he assisted one and scored another to reduce the deficit to a single goal.
Pulisic’s omission raised eyebrows given Chelsea needed just a single point to guarantee their place in next season’s Champions League and his absence from Sunday’s 3-1 win against Manchester United was seen as Lampard saving the American for Anfield.
However, after his dazzling cameo, Lampard has confirmed that Pulisic was unable to start on Merseyside due to a thigh injury and says he wants the winger fresh for Sunday’s match against Wolves.
Asked about Pulisic’s cameo, Lampard said: ‘Fantastic.
‘Christian would have stayed in the team but he had a small injury in his thigh that kept him out against Manchester United.
‘Today I felt it was a risk to play him for 90 minutes given we have two huge games coming up.
‘When he came on he looked great so i’m really pleased with that in terms of his individual performance. We’ve since that since the restart when he’s been fit and firing he’s looked some player.
‘So as I say disappointed I haven’t been able to start him in the last two games but we’ve got them coming up.’
Chelsea need a draw on the final day against Wolves but they have European aspirations of their own.
Manchester United’s draw with West Ham means they need a draw on the final day against Leicester, who will likely need to beat the Red Devils to secure their place.
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