Mourinho stokes fires for classic

JOSE MOURINHO claims there is no great rivalry between Chelsea and Liverpool despite the two clubs coming face to face for the 10th time in two seasons today (5.05pm).

Mourinho avoided talk of bad blood between the players but sent a chilling message to Rafael Benitez on the eve of their FA Cup semi-final at Old Trafford. The Chelsea boss reminded the Liverpool manager that he is 15 points ahead of him in the Premiership and that, the last time they met in February, the Reds were outclassed.

Mourinho said: “Only one team played. The other team couldn’t compete against a team who played a magnificent game. Chelsea played very well that day. I don’t remember one single chance for Liverpool. We beat them 2-0, very easily. We scored a good goal which the linesman couldn’t give. We were by far the best team.”

It was a game best remembered for the flashpoint involving Jose Reina and Arjen Robben.

Mourinho said: “I don’t see how one incident, in the last five minutes of the game, becomes explosive.

“It would only happen in this country. In any other country, it would just be a game where Chelsea are much better.”

Robben can expect a hostile reception from Liverpool fans at Old Trafford. So can Michael Essien, if he overcomes a fitness scare. Essien’s nasty challenge on Dietmar Hamann in a Champions League game in December was another flashpoint.

Chelsea have lost only one of the previous nine games between the sides over the last two seasons - but that was a bitter defeat - in last season’s Champions League semi-final second leg, with a controversial goal from Luis Garcia which Mourinho still insists never crossed the line.

Mourinho said: “For me there’s no rivalry. The only thing is when we meet them it’s normally on big occasions. We met them in the Champions League semi-final, the Carling Cup final and now in the FA Cup semi-final. In the league, we always met at crucial moments. It’s not normal to play 10 times in two years. I look at them the same as I look at another team. I have no special feeling.”

Mourinho has problems in midfield ahead of the semi-final. Eidur Gudjohnsen is ill, Maniche is suspended and Essien is nursing a knee injury.

Petr Cech expects to be fit but Mourinho will stick with his usual FA Cup keeper, Carlo Cudicini.