Blues' firepower can outgun Reds in bitter battle

OF all the controversy Jose Mourinho has stoked since he arrived in English football two seasons ago, perhaps the most unsporting was his contention that Liverpool were not deserving winners of last year's Champions League.

It was unnecessarily sour and even if he cited as evidence the debatable goal by Luis Garcia which knocked Chelsea out of the semi-finals of Europe's most prestigious competition 12 months ago, then it still stuck in the throats of rational football lovers.

It is one reason why there is so much spice surrounding today's FA Cup semi-final at Old Trafford, which pitches this season's Premiership champions in all but name in Chelsea against a Liverpool club whose rejuvenation continues under Rafael Benitez.