Jose Mourinho claims Liverpool are serious title contenders this season because their gentle fixture schedule, with no European 
competition, is like being ‘on holidays’.
competition, is like being ‘on holidays’.
Mourinho believes fewer games and extra preparation time gives Brendan Rodgers an edge in a congested race at the top of the Barclays Premier League. ‘Liverpool are on holidays for one season,’ said the Chelsea boss ahead of tomorrow’s clash between the teams at Stamford Bridge.
‘One week to prepare a match, play the match and one more week to prepare the next match. It is an unbelievable advantage.’
Asked if he thought they could win their first title since 1990, Mourinho said: ‘I think they can. Because they are good, because Brendan is good.
'Because they have time to prepare the team tactically, because they are not involved in the heat of the knock-out situation in the Champions League or even the Europa League. These players are going to play 60 matches at Chelsea. Liverpool will play 40 matches. It’s a big difference.
‘Quality, plus ambition, plus this advantage, so yes.’
During his first spell at Stamford Bridge, Mourinho established a fierce rivalry with Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez. It was forged on a series of controversial cup ties in Europe and domestic competitions, including the 2005 Carling Cup final, when Mourinho won his first trophy in England.
Those feelings remained strong last year with many Chelsea fans protesting and refusing to accept Benitez when he was appointed as interim manager.
This time, however, Mourinho expects his own friendship with Rodgers, once on his c
oaching team at Stamford Bridge, to diffuse such emotion when the teams meet tomorrow.
oaching team at Stamford Bridge, to diffuse such emotion when the teams meet tomorrow.
‘The manager is one of my best friends in the game,’ said the Chelsea boss. ‘So no rivalry.
‘Brendan is doing fantastically but he is training every week in a calm way, every day, maybe twice a day, which is a big, big advantage. He needs to work well but he has a big advantage in the way you build your team.
‘You know how much tactical work I have done since pre-season? Not much. It is easy for a team who do that every week. ‘Not to be involved in European competition gives them a big advantage.’
Liverpool finished seventh last season, missing out on the Europa League after finishing 28 points adrift of champions Manchester United.
But they started this season well and topped the Premier League at Christmas, before losing 2-1 at Manchester City on Boxing Day and slipping to fourth. Chelsea are a point and a place ahead, but City are moving menacingly towards the summit
‘Everybody’s there,’ said Mourinho. ‘It’s Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool and City in the top four and a match between two of them is worth a lot of points.
‘I think Man City are the big, big, big favourites. And Manchester United, despite being a few points behind, have the reality of the last few years.’
Liverpool’s res
urgence has been fuelled by Luis Suarez, who has scored 19 Premier League goals in 14 appearances. ‘Fantastic numbers, fantastic numbers,’ said Mourinho, and he confessed his own team’s title hopes would be transformed with the addition of striker in such form.
urgence has been fuelled by Luis Suarez, who has scored 19 Premier League goals in 14 appearances. ‘Fantastic numbers, fantastic numbers,’ said Mourinho, and he confessed his own team’s title hopes would be transformed with the addition of striker in such form.
‘That’s what it is, that’s what it is,’ he nodded, painfully aware that Fernando Torres, Samuel Eto’o and Demba Ba have only five between them this season
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