Chelsea vs. Liverpool: Jose Mourinho and Brendan Rodgers Post-Match Reaction

Chelsea were held to a 1-1 draw by Liverpool at Stamford Bridge after John Terry and Steven Gerrard headed home a goal for each side.

It was a stalemate that hasn't hurt the title-winning hosts but has meant the Reds are unlikely to participate in next season's UEFA Champions League.    

Blues boss Jose Mourinho made changes to his team, including handing a start to 19-year-old midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek. The changes no doubt prompted a drop in Chelsea's play, although Mourinho felt less intensity was inevitable after wrapping up the title with room to spare, per the club's official Twitter feed:

While being held to a draw at home was a bit of a damp squib after last week's title celebrations, Mourinho still commended his team's ability to avoid defeat:

Grinding out results and being efficient enough to earn points even when playing poorly has defined Chelsea's late push to the title. The performances have been far from attractive, but ultimately, the Blues have done what they've needed to in order to cross the line.

That's why Mourinho could afford to hand a prospect like Loftus-Cheek a rare start. It's not often the Blues chief indulges the potential of youth.

But Mourinho was certainly impressed by what he saw from one of the stars of Chelsea's youth setup:

While the Blues were comfortable and assured in the middle, they lacked a cutting edge along the forward line. It took a trademark Terry header from a corner to breach Liverpool's defence.

Yet that was soon answered by another header, this one from Reds club legend Gerrard. He was playing his final game against Chelsea.

Mourinho had some kind words for the decorated 34-year-old playmaker:

The Portuguese coach was referring to the ovation Gerrard received from both sets of fans at Stamford Bridge. But Gerrard gave his own rather acerbic response to the positive, stadium-wide reaction during an interview with BBC Sport:

Yet that didn't stop Mourinho from continuing to wax lyrical about Gerrard's impact in England's top flight, per Squawka Football:

Earlier in the week, Mourinho had confirmed he tried to sign Gerrard on three separate occasions at various stages of both men's careers, according to BBC Sport.

For his part, Gerrard indicated he might have welcomed those advances were it not for his ties to his home team:

Mourinho missed out on Gerrard, but in terms of whom he might try to sign next, the Blues chief stressed his happiness with his current options. Mourinho emphasised the strength in depth of Chelsea's title-winning squad:

Anfield boss Brendan Rodgers certainly doesn't enjoy the same luxury. The squad that finished second, one place above Chelsea, last season has never recovered from the sale of talisman striker Luis Suarez to FC Barcelona.

Questions about the struggle to fill the void created by Suarez's exit continue to dog Rodgers, as Liverpool Echo reporter Ian Doyle noted:

Rodgers may be growing tired of questions regarding Suarez, but he did note a lack of quality in the final third as part of Liverpool's problem at the Bridge during an interview with Sky Sports.

Losing Suarez and consistent injuries to Daniel Sturridge have left the Reds without firepower for most of this season. Summer buys Rickie Lambert and Mario Balotelli have both been deeply disappointing.

Rodgers also lamented his team's poor start, a problem he sees as a damaging regular occurrence this season. The Kop chief also continued the praise for Gerrard.

Rodgers said the chance to manage Gerrard "has been a great privilege," during an interview with the BBC (h/t ESPN FC).

Rodgers was less impressed by the dangerous first-half challenge from Cesc Fabregas on winger Raheem Sterling. Pro Soccer Talk's Joe Prince-Wright detailed what the Liverpool gaffer thought of the tackle:

"

He [Sterling] recovered exceptionally well. It was a poor challenge by Fabregas. He should have been sent off. Out of control. Diving. Stretching. It was a poor challenge and Raheem has done well to stay on the field and play ever so well in the second half.

"

Gifted provider Fabregas certainly was lucky to stay on the pitch after lunging in studs up.

Finishing outside the top four will serve as an indictment of Rodgers' ability to refresh following the loss of Suarez. It will also mean major work this summer to fortify a flat squad ahead of next season.    

As for Chelsea, their coronation as champions will lurch on for two more weeks. Mourinho's men have done the serious work and deserve to maybe drop a gear or two.