Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho wants to rest players for Liverpool trip

Jose Mourinho says he wants to “rest players” for Chelsea’s trip to Anfield ahead of the second leg of their Champions League semi-final.

The Blues secured a valiant goalless draw at La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid on Tuesday night as Mourinho bids to win his first European crown with the west London side.

I know what I would do, but I’m not the club. I have to speak with the club

Jose Mourinho

Chelsea face Premier League leaders Liverpool on Sunday, and Brendan Rodgers’s side have the chance to end the Blues’s Premier League title hopes with victory at Anfield.

And Mourinho appears to already have one eye on the return leg of their Champions League clash.

“I would play the players that are not going to play next Wednesday [against Atletico Madrid],” Mourinho said.

“I can’t decide by myself. I’m just the manager. I have to listen to the club.”

He continued: “When the Premier League decide to put that Liverpool game on Sunday, when Liverpool refuse to play on a Saturday, it is a decision I have to make with the club, if the club wants to go with everything in direction of the Champions League I am ready for that.

“We represent English football and we are the only English team that is in European competition. Spain has four and gave them all the conditions to try to have success.

“The Premier League should [fight for our match to be played on Saturday]. We have a big match on Wednesday that can give Chelsea another Champions League final, we ask, ask and asked again to play on the Saturday.

“I know what I would do, but I’m not the club. I have to speak with the club.”