Chelsea V Liverpool at Stamford Bridge : Match Preview

27 January 2015 13:58
Chelsea V Liverpool - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.


Mourinho moves on from FA Cup shock

Jose Mourinho has refused to dwell on Chelsea's disgraceful FA Cup exit to Bradford as he eyes a Wembley final at the expense of Liverpool.

Mourinho, who on Monday celebrated his 52nd birthday, labelled last Saturday's loss to League One Bradford a "disgrace" and "unacceptable" after the Blues led 2-0 only to fall to a 4-2 defeat.

Chelsea face Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night with their Capital One Cup semi-final poised at 1-1 after the first leg and Mourinho has quickly recalibrated.

"The next game is the most important one," Mourinho said on chelseafc.com.

"We need to forget this one (Bradford) and start the next game in a different competition, and I know we are one victory away from playing a final.

"It's the good thing about playing consecutive matches without many days in between.

"It's the good thing that, when you lose, you have to focus immediately on the next game.

"You don't have a lot of time to be moaning or analysing what happened in the bad one. Let's move and let's think about the next one.

"At the end of May, beginning of June, we don't go to Wembley to play the FA Cup final, that's for sure.

"The FA Cup is finished for us. We don't go there even to play the FA Cup semi-final. It's over for us.

"To go there - and I think that should mean a lot to everyone - the last chance we have is this one, to play there in the Capital One Cup final."

Mourinho is likely to revert to his first-choice players in a key week for Chelsea as holders Manchester City visit the leaders in the Barclays Premier League on Saturday.

John Obi Mikel (head) and Andre Schurrle (back) are doubts, but neither are likely to be involved from the start.

Meanwhile, Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers intends to pile on the cup pain for Chelsea as he takes his side to Stamford Bridge with "no fear".

Liverpool drew 1-1 with the Londoners in the first leg of the tie at Anfield and Rodgers believes a repeat of the Reds' attack-minded performance and attitude from that night could reap rewards.

He said: "We played them last week when they were coming off the back of, arguably, their best result and performance of the season against Swansea (a 5-0 win) - but we were outstanding in the game. We limited them to very limited possession and opportunities.

"We know it is going to be a tough game but we are certainly going into the game with no fear and our strength is very much in our attack. We showed that in the last game.

"The team is on the up, we have seen that over the last number of weeks. We've got great confidence knowing that, in particular away from home, our form and resilience is getting better and better and we can get a result."

Rodgers accepts, however, that the Bradford upset could impact one of two ways on Chelsea.

While on the one hand the Blues could still be reeling and vulnerable, on the other there could be a strong reaction.

Rodgers said: "The result at the weekend doesn't help - they will have great motivation. It is a different game, a different competition, a Wembley place is at stake. When you come off a game like that you want to put it right.

"But there is also that, in the back of your mind, even if you're up in the game - like they were, 2-0 - you can still lose the game. So I'm sure there'll be that wee bit of trepidation."

Liverpool could be boosted by the return of former Chelsea striker Daniel Sturridge, who is now back in full training after months of injury frustration.

The 25-year-old has not played for the Reds since August, mainly due to thigh problems, but is now close to making a comeback.

Captain Steven Gerrard and defender Martin Skrtel, rested for Saturday's FA Cup clash against Bolton, are likely to return but it remains to be seen if striker Mario Balotelli features.

Balotelli was omitted at the weekend for reasons of form and attitude, although Rodgers continues to insist - contrary to speculation - the controversial Italian does have a future at Anfield.


Source: PA