Liverpool should still expect a strong Chelsea (ESPN article)

by Dave Usher for ESPN

Jose Mourinho caused something of a stir this week when he revealed that he would be asking Roman Abramovich for permission to "play the kids" at Anfield against Liverpool this Sunday. It could all be yet more tedious "mind games" of course, and few on Merseyside will be surprised if many of Chelsea's star names emerge from the Anfield tunnel for a game that up until the Londoners' shock loss to Sunderland last weekend had been billed as a "title decider", but even I've got to admit, old Jose does seem pretty serious about it, doesn't he?

He made his intentions clear in the aftermath of Chelsea's goalless draw with Atletico Madrid in the Champions League semifinal first leg on Tuesday night, and the debate has been raging in the British media ever since as to whether this kind of thing goes against the "spirit of the competition" and if punishment should be dished out by the Premier League should the Chelsea boss carry out his "threat".

But does Mourinho owe it to Manchester City (and the spirit of the competition) to field his strongest possible side at Anfield? I don't think so. You could certainly argue that he owes it to Chelsea supporters, but that's another discussion entirely and one for them to deal with.

This kind of situation often occurs at this time of year. Teams at the bottom of the Premier League usually kick up a huge stink at the mere suggestion of one of the "big boys" resting players and prioritising other competitions. This time it's a side at the top who would be effected if Chelsea were to field a weakened side, but do any of these "wronged" teams actually have a legitimate cause for complaint?

Of course it depends on just how "weak" a side we're talking about, but in general I'd say that a manager should be entitled to select whoever he wants (within reason of course) and if he chooses to prioritise one competition over another, that's his prerogative. After all, it's his job that will be on the line if he isn't successful, so it really shouldn't be anybody else's concern how he sets up his own team. A manager has a duty to do what is best for his club, his players and his supporters. If City had taken care of their own business better they wouldn't be relying on Chelsea to do them a favour.

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