Terry wary of ’Pool backlash

JOHN TERRY expects Liverpool to arrive at Stamford Bridge on Sunday on a mission to prove their title bid is for real.

The Reds have stalled at the start of a campaign when they were widely tipped to emerge as Chelsea’s nearest Premiership rivals.

A draw at Sheffield United and a 3-0 drubbing at Everton means they are already off the pace and defeat at Chelsea will leave them eight points adrift of the champions.

Chelsea captain Terry said: “They got a bit of a thumping in their local derby which is a massive game for them.

“I’m sure their players and fans will all be very upset and they’ll be travelling down here to win something.

“It’s important that we pick up another three points.

“We have to keep winning at this point in the season, especially in our home games because this has been our fortress in the last two seasons.”

It will be the 12th time the teams have met in little over two years and the rivalry is fierce.

Mourinho has won all four league games against Rafael Benitez and the Carling Cup final but the Spaniard came out on top in the Champions League semi-final and the FA Cup semi-final.

Liverpool won the last duel in the FA Community Shield but Chelsea have not lost a league game at home since Mourinho arrived.

Last season the Blues dropped just two points out of a possible 60 at Stamford Bridge.

Terry said: “We’re fit and coming into it full of confidence. It’s a big game for us early on in the season but we’re up for it.”

The England skipper believes there is a psychological boost to be won by beating one of your closest rivals near the start of the campaign.

Last year, Chelsea beat Arsenal in August and their 4-1 win at Anfield, in early October, wrecked Liverpool’s title charge.

The Blues opened the previous season by beating Manchester United at Stamford Bridge.

Terry said: “When we played Man United two years ago at home, it set the tone. If you can do that and get them big ones out of the way early on it’s massive.

Mourinho and his team are determined to clinch a hat-trick of titles but they make no secret of the fact that this season they want the Champions League.

Terry said: “We have to retain the Premiership but it’s getting the state where we have to win the Champions League. We can’t keep saying ‘next year will be our time’.

“We’ve got the experience and we’ve got the players.

“It’s going to be a tough group, never mind a tough competition, but we’re desperate to win this trophy.

“It’s important to keep doing well in the league, it’s important to retain the title.”