Normally, we try to predict the strongest possible starting XIs that might feature for a team but since Jose Mourinho claims he may start a weakened Chelsea side against Liverpool so lets just analyze that.
The mind games of Mourinho are never ending and so as the complaints but that eventually helps the players as he takes all the limelight and pressure on himself.
With Chelsea virtually out of the title race and now Champions league is their main priority, Mourinho has used an excuse of fixtures to claim that he will have to start a weak side against Liverpool so that he can explode on Atletico in the second leg.
Liverpool are in red hot form having won 11 games on the spin and a fixture at Anfield will be tough for the best of teams. City’s latest defeat, a perfect example of that. Still, Mourinho has a quality squad at his disposal and him being an experienced CL manager, the complaints make no sense.
Chelsea got the changed day for Sunderland game, didn’t work out well and now Jose condemns another fixture.
Nevertheless, it is better for the rival team to ignore everything Mourinho says before the game and Rodgers must do exactly the same.
As far as the weakened team is concerned, two top quality players, winter signings Matic and Salah will return to the lineup. Lately, the duo have been one of the best players for the Blues. Very weak I say.
Ivanovic missed the first leg vs Atletico with suspension and likely to start vs Liverpool, weak again. Lampard suspended for the second leg and may as well start in midfield with Luiz. Willian might be taken off after running hell lot against Atletico, Schurrle and Oscar likely to come back.
The only weak link that makes sense is former Liverpool superstar Torres. Will he start against the Reds, we shall see. Terry and Cech are genuine absentees, cannot blame Mourinho for crying about them.
Here is Chelsea’s weakened starting XI to face Liverpool on Sunday.
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Chelsea's WEAKENED Starting XI to face Liverpool
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Van Ginkel was on the bench vs Atletico. He might get a rare start. Chelsea need more than a miracle to win title and if Mourinho has to choose between Rodgers and Pellegrini for the title. Hed rather want Rodgers to win it.
So one can expect a weaker side than the one you mentioned because Champions League is the real deal for us
Very true! Mourhino hates pellegrini. But the reality is even with chelskis best team on the pitch, they still wouldn’t beat the mighty reds!!
if chelsea would play with best squad they can beat liverpool..
same as they did to man city
well, Liverpool has done great work this season. Hats off for Arsenal and Liverpool. Their rise helped to show those LaLiga fan that EPL is still best. ManCity did better than Arsenal but that’s still under their par if we compare the qualities of players both sides have.
I think FA never liked Chelsea and will never like. They want ManUtd, Arsenal or Liverpool on CL. If there was any care from FA for Chelsea they’d have moved the Chelsea Vs Liverpool game rather than imposing charges on Ramires and Rui.
PS: I think Big Sam of West Ham did used some nasty words after Chelsea game on post match interview. The FA have
concluded that Mourinho’s remarks have
called into question the integrity of the
match official and the head of the refereeing
body. 3 penalties waved away and they think only Special is angry with them. Actually whole Chelsea world is clear what FA is. ManCity is yet to face such discrimination by FA.
I m pretty sure Kalas and Van Ginkel wiill start,i cant see ivanovic starting becauce they need him more for wednesday,and he ll most like start with Ba as well.