Chelsea Build Up

[G]

Ok then

[TheElephantMan]

Isn't that statement from Mourinho just a pathetic attempt to lessen our achievement if we win the league? People will argue that we might not have won the league had our nearest rivals taken games seriously enough to put a full strength side out? I really think this is Mourinho being a knob again, whatever side he puts out on Sunday will be a very strong side yet all the talk will be about how our success has been made so much easier.

[Leyton388]

That's exactly what it is mate. I've got talksport on at the minute and they said the same. Next season he will be coming out with all kinds of bile about how we are not the true champions and how Chelsea were prevented from winning the league ect ect. He's a horrible egomaniac who is slowly turing everyone against him. Let him dig his own grave.

[G]

Yes that's exactly what it is. He's getting his excuses in early in case a full strength team got walloped and also using it as a stick to beat us with for years to come.

Will any of us care? Will we ****.

[DannyMan2006]

Isn't that statement from Mourinho just a pathetic attempt to lessen our achievement if we win the league? People will argue that we might not have won the league had our nearest rivals taken games seriously enough to put a full strength side out? I really think this is Mourinho being a knob again, whatever side he puts out on Sunday will be a very strong side yet all the talk will be about how our success has been made so much easier.

Jose can say what he likes. A Chelsea team already without Cech, Terry & Ramires, plus likely Hazard is already weakened enough. If he rests more players then all the better - I'd be loving that. At this stage of the season I want every advantage we can get. Chelsea have already lost the title so can say nothing. If City lose the title then they lost it at Anfield - nowhere else.

[Gibbo]

If he rests his entire XI does that mean we get Hilario in goal?

[Leyton388]

I hope he goes to bed at night with more nightmares after the weekend to add to the ghost goal that haunts him every night.

[Chazza]

Daniel Sturridge will hand Liverpool FC a major fitness boost by returning for the crunch title showdown with Chelsea this weekend.

The Reds striker missed Sunday’s 3-2 win at Norwich City with a hamstring problem, sustained in the previous week’s game against Manchester City.

But the problem is nowhere near as serious as first feared, and the 24-year-old is now expected to be in contention to face his former club at Anfield this Sunday.

Sturridge appeared at a Q&A session to mark the club’s new commercial partnership with Subway on Wednesday, and told a group of local schoolchildren he was “hopeful” of being fit to take on Chelsea. He is expected to resume full training with his teammates today.

A win for Liverpool against Jose Mourinho’s men would move them to within four points of a first league title in 24 years.

Even a draw would keep the Reds’ destiny firmly in their own hands, and the return of Sturridge, who has 23 goals in all competitions this season, will come as a major boost to manager Brendan Rodgers.

Rodgers will already be without Jordan Henderson, who is serving the second match of a three-game ban, while Victor Moses, on loan at Anfield from the Stamford Bridge club, is ineligible.

Chelsea, though, have absentees of their own. Both Petr Cech and John Terry are expected to miss the rest of the season after sustaining injuries in the 0-0 Champions League draw at Atletico Madrid on Tuesday night.

And midfielder Ramires could also be absent, after he was hit with an FA misconduct charge. The Brazilian was involved in an off-the-ball incident with Sunderland’s Sebastian Larsson during Chelsea’s 2-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, and could face a retrospective three-game suspension. He has until 6pm today to respond to the charge.

Mourinho, as well as his assistant Rui Faria, who was sent from the touchline, have also been hit with misconduct charges. Mourinho hinted after the draw with Atletico that he would be “forced” to field a weakened team at Anfield, with the game sandwiched between the two semi-final ties.

Daniel Sturridge was talking to youngsters on a Liverpool FC Foundation programme at which the club and new partner, Subway, were kick-starting their partnership by delivering healthy range snacks to the Club’s community programmes all week.

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/liverpool-fc-daniel-sturridge-looks-7025878

[Reece]

Sturridge back for the game according to the echo

[Reece]

Bloody Chazza

[Chris]

It will be interesting to see what they do defensively. The "cant/wont play the second leg" lot in midfield and attack like Lampard, Matic, Salah, Ba and co could keep them competitive but they are short at the back as it is. Luiz surely needs to be spared as they barely have any CM's for the second leg, Ivanovic likely has to play CB in the second leg so Cole will play again, they wont want a 33 year old legging it up and down Anfield 3 days before it. And can they take a risk with Cahill when Terry is already out?

I'm not too arsed either way, we are better, at home and want it much more.

[TheElephantMan]

Excellent news, Sturridge's pace will prove too much for Chelsea's second string on Sunday.

[Chazza]

Bloody Chazza

[Vermilion]

If he really wants to send a message to the Prem/Fa, he should forefit the game, refuse to send his side to Liverpool at all.

[Vermilion]

Bloody Chazza

Bit rude that pushing in before you.