• Premier League

Mignolet: It's about us, not Chelsea

ESPN staff
April 25, 2014
Suarez: Gerrard the key to Liverpool

Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet insists the Premier League leaders are unfazed by Jose Mourinho's threat to field a weakened Chelsea team in Sunday's crucial title clash.

Chelsea travel to Anfield three days before their Champions League semi-final second leg with Atletico Madrid, which is finely poised at 0-0. Mourinho wishes to prioritise Europe over the league and, with injuries and suspensions having hit his squad, has apparently been given permission by the club's board to rotate.

Owen: Liverpool have done it the right way

  • Former Liverpool striker Michael Owen believes the club deserves to win the Premier League title "right way" following their transformation under Brendan Rodgers.
  • Speaking to the Daily Telegraph, Owen paid tribute to manager Rodgers and said the former Swansea boss had surprised everyone by leading Liverpool's title charge.
  • The club are on the brink of a first league title since 1990 and Owen, who scored 158 goals in 297 appearances during his time at Anfield, is pleased by their desire to blitz opponents.
  • "No one had them to win the league. They were long odds against to do it and he has manufactured an unbelievable attacking team that has pace all over it, goals all over it," Owen told the newspaper.
  • "That is the pleasing thing if Liverpool go on to win the league; it has been done in the right way as they have blitzed a lot of teams and outscored them, particularly at Anfield.
  • "It has been a great season to watch."

With Liverpool currently five points clear of second-place Chelsea, a victory for Brendan Rodgers' side would kill off Mourinho's slim title hopes for good; Mignolet believes his team-mates are focused on that rather than the Portuguese's mind games.

"We don't really read too much into that," Mignolet told Liverpool's official website.

"It's more about us and about what we have to do, rather than looking at someone else. We have to make sure that we're ready for the game, like we've done so far this season. It doesn't make any difference."

The goalkeeper does not buy into the weakened team label, despite Luis Suarez's swipe that Liverpool should not be challenging for the title with the squad they possess.

Mignolet is adamant Chelsea's squad is strong throughout, though, but states if Liverpool play to the standard that has seen them rise to the top of the table, they will have nothing to worry about.

"Chelsea have got a very good team, they have got lots of quality players throughout their squad. We'll very much be prepared for a tough game again," Mignolet said.

"Like we've done all season, it's about looking at ourselves and making sure we do our things; we'll prepare ourselves well this week and make sure that we play the best that we can. Then there's nothing to worry about."

Liverpool have been handed an injury boost ahead of the tie, which could cement their title credentials as they aim for a first league championship since 1990.

Daniel Sturridge is hopeful of a return against his former club and expects to be fit for the game.

However, on-loan attacker Victor Moses admitted he will watch the game from home - he is ineligible to play for against his parent club.

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