ReactionHarvey Elliott: The second-half performance was better but it was too late
Harvey Elliott felt Liverpool gave themselves too much to do after a below-par first half during their 3-1 loss away at Chelsea on Sunday.
The Reds' first outing as 2024-25 Premier League champions ended in defeat at Stamford Bridge.
Enzo Fernandez's early opener was followed by a Jarell Quansah own goal near the hour mark to put the Champions League-hunting Blues in command.
Virgil van Dijk gave Arne Slot's men a reward for an improved showing by halving the deficit in minute 85, but a stoppage-time penalty from Cole Palmer sealed the points for the hosts.
Offering his reaction, Elliott told Liverpoolfc.com: "I think the first half was very hard. It was hard to find the space, to create the chances. I think we had a few counter-attacks and they just fizzled out.
"But we reflected on that at half-time and I think in the second half there was a massive change. I felt like we all clicked into gear and I felt myself personally there were a few things that were going for me, a few half-chances you could say.
"But I think as a whole in the second half we were a lot better. Obviously the skipper got the goal to make it 2-1 but I think it was just a little bit too late.
"But it's something we can reflect on throughout this week and it's another big test again on Sunday against Arsenal to go and make it right. Let's hope we can do that."
Elliott, who made his first league start of the season, acknowledged the squad naturally had a slight shift in their mentality, having clinched the title seven days earlier.
Looking ahead, the 22-year-old views the remaining three fixtures as an opportunity to prove just why Liverpool sit top of the standings with a double-digit lead.
"I think it's hard to kind of not think about what we've achieved this season," the No.19 continued.
"I think every human being in our shoes now is very relaxed, very composed and all that stress and hard work throughout the season to try to make it an achievement, we've now done it.
"I'd say it's a relief but at the same time we still have three more games and we need to make sure that we put 100 per cent into it.
"We need to go out and put in top performances not only for us but to show why we are champions. We need to do that again next week."
Despite the result, there continued to be a party atmosphere in the away end at Stamford Bridge at the final whistle as the travelling Kop toasted the 20th top-flight title.
On that support, Elliott said: "Incredible, I felt like jumping in and joining them, to be honest! It just sums them up.
"For me, we have the best fans in the world. Each and every game they show that, and today is another example from the warm-up to the [final] whistle. I think after the game as well they were cheering, singing. It's pure enjoyment and happiness.
"It's just incredible to play in front of [them]. Just moments like that, you're just so happy to be a Red and you want to leave everything out there for them."