Despite it playing a big part in the title race the manager is preparing to play a weakened side.
The Premier League title race will take a step closer to being decided this weekend when Liverpool host Chelsea on Sunday at Anfield.
Yet despite it being such an important game for both clubs – with first playing second – Blues boss Jose Mourinho claims he will field a weaker team on Merseyside.
“The fact that the match is on Sunday, I think that puts the problem not in my hands but in the hands of those who decide the game should be Sunday, not Saturday or Friday,” the 51-year-old was quoted by the Guardian.
“We represent English football and are the only [English] team in European competition.
“Spain have four and give them all the conditions to try to have success.
“So I know what I would do. I would play the players who are not going to play on Wednesday. My priority is the Champions League.
“But I’m not the club. I have to speak to them.”
Mourinho has something of a selection headache coming up for both the clash with the Reds and then the second-leg with Atletico Madrid the following Wednesday.
Both Petr Cech and John Terry have been ruled out for the rest of the season – although the captain would have a chance of playing the Champions League final should the club make it there – after picking up injuries against Atletico on Tuesday night.
Frank Lampard and John Obi Mikel will also miss the European tie due to suspension, whilst Eden Hazard and Samuel Eto’o are both struggling with fitness concerns.
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