Jose Mourinho is optimistic that his Chelsea side can turn their season around ahead of the Barclays Premier League champions’ meeting with Liverpool this weekend.
The Blues have 13 points from the first 10 matches of their title defence and suffered a midweek penalty shoot-out defeat to Stoke City in the League Cup.
Mourinho feels his team can take heart from their performance at the Britannia Stadium.
“It’s difficult – but it’s more difficult when you play very badly and lose, than playing well and losing,” he said. “They go home with sadness but with a positive feeling.
“They played well, they didn’t make many mistakes. They participated in the game a lot.”
Mourinho was pleased that Ramires has signed a new four-year deal.
“He’s one of these guys that every manager loves and I am happy the club recognised he deserves that,” Mourinho said of Ramires’ new deal.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp heads into Saturday’s match riding the crest of the wave of positivity surrounding his appointment at Anfield.
Klopp oversaw his first win in charge of Liverpool on Wednesday, a 1-0 League Cup victory over AFC Bournemouth, following three successive draws since replacing Brendan Rodgers at Anfield.
“I feel much better than after a draw,” Klopp said. “But I don’t think the other games were so much worse than today – of course, the result is the biggest difference and we did well tonight.
Blues manager optimistic about upturn in results after encouraging midweek display at Stoke
“From Klopp’s perspective, the most important thing is to keep Liverpool this motivated.” Jason Roberts looks ahead to Saturday’s match at Stamford Bridge.
Jose Mourinho is optimistic that his Chelsea side can turn their season around ahead of the Barclays Premier League champions’ meeting with Liverpool this weekend.
The Blues have 13 points from the first 10 matches of their title defence and suffered a midweek penalty shoot-out defeat to Stoke City in the League Cup.
Mourinho feels his team can take heart from their performance at the Britannia Stadium.
“It’s difficult – but it’s more difficult when you play very badly and lose, than playing well and losing,” he said. “They go home with sadness but with a positive feeling.
“They played well, they didn’t make many mistakes. They participated in the game a lot.”
Mourinho was pleased that Ramires has signed a new four-year deal.
“He’s one of these guys that every manager loves and I am happy the club recognised he deserves that,” Mourinho said of Ramires’ new deal.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp heads into Saturday’s match riding the crest of the wave of positivity surrounding his appointment at Anfield.
Klopp oversaw his first win in charge of Liverpool on Wednesday, a 1-0 League Cup victory over AFC Bournemouth, following three successive draws since replacing Brendan Rodgers at Anfield.
“I feel much better than after a draw,” Klopp said. “But I don’t think the other games were so much worse than today – of course, the result is the biggest difference and we did well tonight.
New Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has overseen two draws in the BPL
Christian Benteke missed the AFC Bournemouth tie with a knee problem, but Klopp expects the Belgian, who came off the bench to score the opener in Liverpool’s 1-1 draw with Southampton last week, to be fit for Saturday.
Benteke level with Giroud in head to head battle >>
Daniel Sturridge continues to struggle with a knee injury of his own and remains doubtful, but James Milner is available after suspension.
Mourinho also faces a headache up front, with Diego Costa a doubt after suffering a rib injury at Stoke. Branislav Ivanovic (hamstring) is likely to miss out, while Pedro (knock) is also a doubt.
Chelsea (from): Amelia, Begovic, Blackman, Azpilicueta, Cahill, Djilobodji, Ivanovic, Rahman, Terry, Zouma, Fabregas, Hazard, Loftus-Cheek, Matic, Mikel, Oscar, Ramires, Traore, Willian, Costa, Falcao, Kenedy, Pedro, Remy.
Liverpool (from): Bogdan, Mignolet, Clyne, Jose Enrique, Lovren, Moreno, Sakho, Skrtel, Allen, Can, Coutinho, Ibe, Lallana, Lucas, Milner, Teixeira, Benteke, Firmino, Origi, Sturridge.
source:premierleague.com
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