Former West Ham boss Harry Redknapp has praised Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino over his handling of the Thiago Silva controversy.

Redknapp discussed the criticism of Thiago's wife while previewing today's Carabao Cup final.

He wrote for The Sun: "I must admit I'd love to see Mauricio Pochettino win a trophy as well, especially after that ridiculous and horrible situation with Thiago Silva and his wife, Isabelle recently.

"Poch was having a difficult time as it was, and then he had the missus of his main man and one of the world's great players tweeting about it being time for change . . . beyond belief!

"You can say what you like, but that relationship — player and manager, not wife! — will never be the same again.

"Pochettino is a good man and that will have hurt him a lot. I couldn't believe it when I first heard.

"It was a bold move to leave Thiago out for the FA Cup game at Aston Villa but Chelsea got a result and turned in another good performance without him by drawing at Manchester City.

"So he's come through that in one piece, Chelsea are starting to pick up a bit and they will certainly go to Wembley a lot more confident than they would a few weeks ago.

"But if you twisted my arm, I'd still just about fancy Liverpool to edge it, even with their injuries . . . although it will be close."