Jose Mourinho: 'Liverpool have advantage over us'

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has insisted that Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has a big advantage over his rivals in the Premier League title race.

Liverpool are currently three points away from first position, but ahead of their clash with Chelsea on Sunday, Mourinho believes that Rodgers can make the most of spending more time on the training pitch after failing to qualify for Europe last season.

The 50-year-old told reporters: "Rodgers is doing fantastic, but he is training every week in a calm way, every day, maybe twice a day, which is a big, big, big advantage.

"He needs to work well, because you can work a lot and work bad. The credit is, he works well, but he has a big advantage compared to other teams.

"Not being in European competition gives them an advantage, not in terms of resting but in terms of working. They can work. My players are going to play 60 matches, while Liverpool players are going to play 40 matches. It is a big difference."

Rodgers had spells as Chelsea youth and reserve-team manager during Mourinho's first period in charge at Stamford Bridge.