Liverpool vs. Chelsea: Jose Mourinho on Manchester United, Steven Gerrard, More

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho used his Liverpool pre-match press conference to dismiss links of him joining Manchester United as their next manager.

The Portuguese supremo was in a no-nonsense mood as he took questions regarding his future and his possible team selection at Anfield this Sunday.

Regarding United, the Special One made his position crystal clear and reaffirmed his allegiance to his current club.

Kevin Palmer of the Sunday World, and also Squawka's twitter account, tweeted about Mourinho's comments on United:

Jon Super

Mourinho also passed comment on the possibility of Steven Gerrard—a former target of his—winning his first Premier League title medal. The Chelsea manager was blunt in his response when asked if the Liverpool captain deserved to win the title.

Miguel Delaney of ESPN tweeted:

Mourinho seemed to be in a less-than-jovial mood when fielding questions about his team selection this weekend, as well as how despondent he feels when being punished for his recent comments surrounding referees.

As reported by Martin Lipton of the Mirror, Mourinho became the first person charged for sarcasm by the F.A. due to his recent comments about referee Mike Dean and officials' chief Mike Riley. The Blues' boss has already been found guilty by the governing body of improper conduct twice this season.

Sam Wallace of The Independent quoted the Blues' manager saying:

The Sun quoted Mourinho directly on allegations he will pick a weakened team for his team's visit to Merseyside on Sunday.

He said:

Paul White

Mourinho also added an update on the fitness of John Terry, who was injured in the semi-final of the Champions League in midweek.

Squawka quotes The Special One saying:

And The Sun tweeted that Eden Hazard would also miss the game at Anfield along with his club captain:

Getty Images/Getty Images

A defeat for Chelsea will end their title challenge on Sunday, and almost deliver the league title into Liverpool's hands. Mourinho appears to be fully focused on the Champions League and guaranteeing a result against Atletico Madrid next week to take his side to the final in his homeland of Portugal. 

If Mourinho fields a weakened side at Anfield, however, his integrity will be severely called into question, and he will face many questions about his conduct. 

He has always had a fantastic relationship with the British press, but this could be the incident that fragments that bond and friendship. 

It will be a sorry way to end the season if this bright and vibrant title race was to end in farce.