Jose Mourinhoâs decade-long war with Liverpool hides a deep respect for a club he would have loved to manage...and almost did. That is the message from Anfield boss Brendan Rodgers, who has laughed off his old friendâs mind games ahead of Sundayâs title showdown. Mourinho has always had an intense rivalry with the Reds, pre-dating even his bitterness over Luis Garciaâs so-called âghost goalâ that knocked Chelsea out of the 2005 Championsâ League semi final. But that is just a will to win and not a lack of respect for Liverpool, according to Rodgers, who explained that the â Special One â almost took the job, after insisting they were one of the biggest clubs in the world. âThere is no doubt that there was a period back in the early 2000s, that this club was a possibility for him,â Rodgers revealed. âMaybe resources were different and he had a better opportunity to go elsewhere but make no mistake, he knows the size and prestige of Liverpool. âThere has been a history there, what with the rivalry and it was a great rivalry between the clubs, but beneath it all he knows the power of Liverpool for sure." In fact, Mourinho was in pole position to replace Gerard Houllier back in 2004 and made it known he would love the chance to manage a club he has always regarded as one of the biggest in the world. And even when he moved to Chelsea instead, he maintained a respect for Liverpool, despite his feud with Rafa Benitez, as he showed when he urged Rodgers to take the job years later. The Reds boss had a counter offer from Spurs, but received a text from his former manager at Stamford Bridge, telling him it was a no-brainer. âHe told me to take the job and what a great club Liverpool was. I had spoken to him about it, he encouraged me about the sheer scale of the club,â Rodgers explained. âI was talking to him about a choice I maybe had, but he knows the size of this club. I understand full well the Liverpool-Chelsea rivalry and in that period maybe it was the managers and that was the rivalry. âBut for me there is no drama, no issue with him. The advantage I have is I know Jose behind the manager, a man who is humble, respectful, has real good values and ethics, but he is a winner and he wants to win. âAnd I know even if we are considered a rival that if they didnât win the league he would want Liverpool to win it.â Daniel Sturridge trained on Friday and should be fit for the titanic clash, but he could start on the bench. http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/chelseas-jose-mourinho-close--3458246#ixzz2zwRGiCEd ---------------------- Im pleased he did with Spurs sniffing and trying to pinch another target from us Really looking forward to tomorrow, worst of luck to you
He's never shown the kind of disrespect to Liverpool as Benitez did to Chelsea. I mean no disrespect to Liverpool but my concern is mainly with Atletico. Liverpool have won it now and are deserved winners whether they win, lose or draw tomorrow.
Correct. The disrespect Rafa showed Chelsea when manager was the worst. We gave him a chance but when he blamed the fans for poor results that was it for me. If we were so plastic and passionless how could we have affected the team's results. He's ruining Napoli now! They hate him there too
Him and BR are good pals from what I read We havent won anything yet though mate You, and Palace away will be very difficult games Jose isnt very well http://www1.skysports.com/football/...-with-a-bug-ahead-of-the-clash-with-liverpool
