Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho says he relishes the intimidating Anfield atmosphere and insists his team will not be affected by the crowd when they face Liverpool on Saturday lunchtime.
The current Premier League leaders effectively ended Liverpool’s title chances last season when a weakened Blues side secured a memorable 2-0 away win in late April.
Mourinho said: “The crowd can influence and in a big way. I like to play there but I have to say that some people feel the atmosphere in a negative way, affecting the performance. That is not my case.
“It doesn’t affect my players’ performance. First, I don’t play, and second I like it.”
And Mourinho could seemingly not resist a reference to the infamous ‘ghost goal’ scored by Luis Garcia in the 2005 Champions League semi-final which earned Liverpool a 1-0 victory over the Blues at Anfield.
“In the past we have clear examples of affecting other performances, goals that are not goals and penalties that are not given – this kind of situation,” Mourinho said.
“But it is a fantastic atmosphere for all of us to enjoy and try to play a beautiful game.”
Liverpool’s sit seventh in the table, 12 points behind Chelsea after losing four of their opening 10 games.
But Mourinho believes they are far from out of the title race.
“Everyone that wants to be (in the race can be in the race) – everyone,” the Portuguese said.
“Southampton are unexpected but they deserve to be there. We have to respect the fantastic work they are doing.
“After that, all the traditional candidates [are in contention].
“Liverpool are fighting for the title, the same as we are. Last season we were not fighting for the title.
“This moment is different. Of course, one is in front, but they are in the title race.”
Mourinho added that last season’s 2-0 away success, in which Steven Gerrard’s slip allowed Demba Ba to race through and score the opening goal, “gave the title to Manchester City”.
He said: “Because they lost that match they lost the title. It meant nothing to us after our defeat against Sunderland.
“That match just meant professional pride. But in terms of the title race we were not in the title race.
“They have to think about this season. They don’t want to go to last season’s game – especially because of the bad memories.
“If I were in their position, I would go back to last season for the fantastic memories and all the good victories they had.”
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This post was last modified on 08/11/2014