Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers 'not bothered' by Chelsea team speculation

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has insisted that the speculation regarding Chelsea's team selection for this weekend's clash at Anfield is not affecting him.

Blues manager Jose Mourinho initially suggested that he will play a weakened team ahead of their Champions League semi-final second leg against Atletico Madrid next week.

However, today, the Portuguese coach refused to be drawn on whether he will field a full-strength side against the Premier League title contenders.

Rodgers told reporters in Friday's press conference: "Jose is a winner. He won't give up. There's certainly no mind games on behalf of himself to myself for sure. He knows me well enough to know it wouldn't bother me one iota what anyone says or does.

"I've seen some stuff written about them maybe being a weaker team but I think that's hugely disrespectful to some of their players if they're deemed to be the weaker ones in the squad.

"Whatever team they put out, it will cost more money than ours and it will be more experienced than ours."

Liverpool currently have a five-point lead over Chelsea in the table, and will lift the title should they earn seven points from their next three games.