LONDON: Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho refused to confirm or deny whether he will pick a significantly weakened team to play leaders Liverpool on Sunday in a match that could effectively decide the title.
Chelsea are five points behind with three games to play and Mourinho has suggested he would give priority to the Champions League semi-final second leg against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday.
After the first leg, a goalless draw in Madrid, he threatened to ‘play the kids’ at Liverpool, keeping his senior players fresh for the game at Stamford Bridge.
That would infuriate Manchester City, who are six points behind Liverpool but have a game in hand and want a Chelsea win on Sunday. It could also lead to sanctions from the Premier League.
Chelsea could still field a team of internationals at Anfield. Frank Lampard and Jon Obi Mikel are both suspended for the Champions League match, while Nemanja Matic and Mohamed Salah are ineligible.
But important players like Petr Cech, John Terry, Eden Hazard, Ramires and Samuel Eto’o are all unavailable for Anfield.
Mourinho dismissed speculation that he ‘could’ replace David Moyes as manager of Manchester United. (Reuters)
