Jose Mourinho wants to rest key players against Liverpool

Liverpool are five points clear of Chelsea with three games left and Mourinho wants to focus on the Blues' Champions League semi-final, which is 0-0 after Tuesday's first leg."I would play the players that are not going to play next Wednesday [against Atletico Madrid]," he said."I can't decide by myself. I'm just the manager. I have to listen to the club."Chelsea's 2-1 defeat by Sunderland last weekend means even a win at Anfield might not be enough to stop Liverpool from winning their first title in 24 years should Brendan Rodgers' side win their other two remaining games.However, Manchester City, who have a game in hand over Chelsea and Liverpool, can still win the title on goal difference if they win their remaining four fixtures and Liverpool lose a game.When told that resting players against Liverpool might not please City, Mourinho said: "I think I will do it, but we have to speak internally."And after losing captain John Terry and goalkeeper Petr Cech to injury in Tuesday's draw against Atletico Madrid, Mourinho believes next week's return leg at Stamford Bridge is the more important fixture.There would be no reason not to play Frank Lampard and John Mikel Obi at Anfield, because both are suspended for the second leg of the semi-final, while fellow midfielders Nemanja Matic and Mohamed Salah are cup-tied and cannot play in Europe.Mourinho also said the game at Anfield should have been moved to Saturday to help his side's European chances and suggested Atletico Madrid had been aided by the Spanish authorities - even though they play Valencia in La Liga on Sunday afternoon."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."(BBC)BakuDaily.Az