LONDON: Steven Gerrard’s untimely slip against Chelsea last season cost his club the Premier League title, Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho claimed yesterday ahead of today’s reunion between the teams.
Liverpool had control of the title race prior to Chelsea’s visit to Anfield in April, but Gerrard’s slip allowed Demba Ba to send the visitors on their way to a 2-0 victory.
Liverpool’s defeat enabled Manchester City to sweep past them over the final weeks of the campaign and Mourinho believes Chelsea’s return to Anfield will therefore prove particularly painful for the home fans.
Asked for his thoughts on Gerrard’s slip, Mourinho told his weekly press conference: “It gave the title to Man City. It’s as simple as that.
“Liverpool, with a point in that match, are champions and because they lost that match, they lost the title. It meant nothing to us after our defeat against Sunderland. Our position was third position.
“That match meant just the professional pride. You have to go to every match and try to win.”
Brazil-born striker Diego Costa was omitted from the Spain squad yesterday as he continues to be dogged by hamstring problems, but Mourinho confirmed that he would start against Brendan Rodgers’s Liverpool.
“He starts the game,” Mourinho said. “The plan is immediately after the match to have a period of complete rest. No training, no treatment.” AFP
