A Jose Mourinho side went away to arguably the most exciting team in England, played very defensively, and came away with a 2-0 win. It will come as no shock that the press conference quotes from both the Chelsea gaffer and his adversary, Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers, were absolute gold.
Brendan Rodgers, Jose Mourinho put on a show at their pressers
One of the most important games of the season also produced two of the best pressers of the season. And Brendan Rodgers is cranky.
Clive Brunskill
Rodgers didn’t care much for Mourinho’s negative tactics, while Mourinho -- as always -- didn’t care much for the criticism of his tactics. His team did score two goals, after all.
Shall we start with the master of post-clean sheet victory trolljobs?
Mourinho: "Time-wasting? What's that."
— Rob Harris (@RobHarris) April 27, 2014
Mourinho on time-wasting accusations: "We never spoke about this when we played lots of matches this season. Now we're speaking about it."
— Tom Williams (@tomwfootball) April 27, 2014
Chelsea were noticeably stalling just a few minutes into the game, something that Liverpool didn’t take too kindly to. The Blues had to win, after all. A draw did them no good. Why were they wasting time -- obviously a tactic, despite what Mourinho says -- in the first half?
Well, Mou got the last laugh.
Mourinho says 'be careful with the bug' and mockingly blows 'germs' at reporters. Says "nobody enjoys" seeing error like Gerrard's.
— Neil Jones (@neiljonesecho) April 27, 2014
I expected better. You really don’t feel like saying your tactics caused the error? Unfortunate missed trolling opportunity.
Mourinho: Doesn't matter if City or Liverpool win title. We won both matches against them.
— Neil Jones (@neiljonesecho) April 27, 2014
Wait, does that mean he’s saying...
Mourinho #cfc: "The best team won. No mistakes. Fantastic performance.’’ Adds "we have no chance" in the title race. Hmmm
— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) April 27, 2014
Hah.
Mourinho: "The best team won"
— Oliver Kay (@OliverKayTimes) April 27, 2014
A Mou classic after a match like this. It’ll get everyone riled up for sure.
Mourinho: "Defensive display? I'm confused about what the media thinks. When a team defends well, you call it a defensive display"
— Neil Jones (@neiljonesecho) April 27, 2014
He certainly has a point, though even Mourinho can't deny that Chelsea's chief aim in this match was to defend their own goal and take what Liverpool gave them in the other direction, rather than trying to force the issue in the attacking half.
Now let’s sit down for storytime with Brendan Rodgers!
Rodgers: I thought my players were outstanding today ... we showed everything today"
— Rob Harris (@RobHarris) April 27, 2014
Except how to score, but sure.
Rodgers is asked whether he would ever play that way. "What do you think? Jose will show me his CV and say it works but it's not my way."
— Daniel Taylor (@DTguardian) April 27, 2014
I can't wait for Liverpool's Champions League Round of 16 tie against Bayern Munich.
Rodgers: Win our last two games and we finish above them, and maybe City too
— Neil Jones (@neiljonesecho) April 27, 2014
This is true. And they probably will win their last two games. It’s worth noting that, while this was a big setback for Liverpool, they’re still in with an excellent chance to win the title. They didn’t lose the title on Sunday.
Rodgers says he hasnt shaken hands with Mourinho. Says could see time wasting from first whistle.
— Neil Jones (@neiljonesecho) April 27, 2014
And yet you let his team score two goals.
Rodgers: Jose has got his result today, credit to them. Its the opposite of how we want to play. Its not difficult to coach.
— Neil Jones (@neiljonesecho) April 27, 2014
Wait, is this a ‘coach the hardest style’ contest or are they trying to win football matches?
Rodgers: gerrard showed courage today, still trying to get on ball. probably two buses parked today instead of one.
— Neil Jones (@neiljonesecho) April 27, 2014
Courage. Bravery. Leadership. Also...two buses parked? YOU CONCEDED TWO GOALS.
BR: Gerrard has picked up this club so many times. Just really unfortunate. He did everything possible. Certainly no blame.
— Neil Jones (@neiljonesecho) April 27, 2014
Everything possible. Okay.
Rodgers: we are sat two points above Chelsea, with the squad they have. Nothing but pride with my players.
— Neil Jones (@neiljonesecho) April 27, 2014
You have the best player in the league by a mile and Chelsea played a B-team.
I’m no fan of Jose Mourinho -- personally, I can’t stand the guy -- but this is a lot of sour grapes from Rodgers. You got outcoached, your first team got outplayed by Chelsea’s B-team and you deserved to lose.
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