Chelsea vs. Liverpool: Key Jose Mourinho Comments from Pre-Match Presser

Nick AkermanMay 8, 2015

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho says facing players like Liverpool's Steven Gerrard made him the manager he is today.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference on Friday ahead of the Reds' trip to Stamford Bridge on Sunday, Mourinho provided Gerrard—who joins the Los Angeles Galaxy at the end of the season—with a glowing tribute. Miguel Delaney of ESPN FC reported his comments:

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LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - JANUARY 20: Steven Gerrard of Liverpool shakes hands with Jose Mourinho manager of Chelsea as he is substitued during the Capital One Cup Semi-Final first leg match between Liverpool and Chelsea at Anfield on January 20, 2015 in Live

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Chelsea wrapped up the title during the May 3 win over Crystal Palace, but Mourinho isn't about to let his men take it easy. No side has beaten the Blues at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League this season—only Manchester City, Burnley and Southampton have grabbed draws—so the Portuguese boss is keen on extending his unbeaten record, per the club's official Twitter account:

Mourinho is unlikely to risk striker Diego Costa, as noted by Chelsea's feed:

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 04: Diego Costa of Chelsea walks off the pitch after picking up an injury during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Stoke City at Stamford Bridge on April 4, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty

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The manager confirmed there is no rush for him to ink a new contract, per Delaney:

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 03: Jose Mourinho manager of Chelsea looks on from the touchline during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge on May 3, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)

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Encouragingly for Chelsea fans, Mourinho suggested he wishes to retain the players who landed silverware success while picking up a handful of new stars to help the side improve, as tweeted by the club:

Mourinho believes the squad's ability to remain calm after losing to Tottenham Hotspur on New Year's Day summarised their title win, as reported by Delaney:

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - APRIL 13: Brendan Rodgers manager of Liverpool looks on from the touchline during the Barclays Premier League match between Liverpool and Newcastle United at Anfield on April 13, 2015 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill

Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Goals from Gary Cahill and Costa saw Chelsea overcome Emre Can's opener at Anfield in November's reverse fixture, per Soccerway. The sides also met in a two-legged Capital One Cup tie, which Chelsea eventually won 2-1 on aggregate.

Fifth-placed Liverpool are four points behind Manchester United and need to secure victory to maintain pressure on Louis van Gaal's men. United's three consecutive defeats have allowed Liverpool a route back into the Champions League race, but any points dropped could soon see this hope disappear.

Things are likely to be a little more relaxed from the Blues' point of view on Sunday, but knowing Mourinho's warrior spirit, he'll look to send Liverpool into the Europa League.