John Aldridge: "Jose Mourinho is scared of Liverpool"

Liverpool favourite John Aldridge believes that the club’s current form has “scared” Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho and that the Anfield side have all but secured their place in next season’s Champions League. Aldridge told the Liverpool Echo that Liverpool will have a “massive say” in the Premier League title race, with home games against Chelsea and Manchester City likely to prove key.

“Jose Mourinho is scared of Liverpool,” opened Aldridge.

“The Reds are breathing down Chelsea’s necks and they have the Portuguese manager worried.

“But Mourinho has been that way for some time this season.

“He celebrated the win at Stamford Bridge in December in a way he hasn’t celebrated any other victory this season. That is because he is concerned by Liverpool.”

“Maybe it all boils down to the Champions League semi-final but I think it is more to do with this season and the threat Brendan Rodgers’ men possess.

“Regardless of what happens, Liverpool are going to have a massive say in this title race.

“If the Reds don’t manage to clinch the championship, then they will influence who does.”

While he admits that there is a long way to go in the title challenge, Aldridge believes that Liverpool’s title rivals will be wary of their respective trips to Anfield and that home games with City and Chelsea could give them the edge.

“There is still a long, long way to go in this race. There are 10 games left and a lot can happen but the fact that Liverpool’s odds have come down to 5-1 says everything.

“Chelsea and Manchester City both have to come to Anfield and Mourinho, in particular, is worried.

“He has seen what they have done to Arsenal, Everton and Spurs and every side in the league is thinking ‘We don’t want to be playing them’.

“It has not been like that with Liverpool for donkey’s years.”

Despite the club playing down their title hopes, Aldridge insisted that if they can win their next game – against Manchester United at Old Trafford – then they are serious contenders, before continuing by suggesting that they will need a serious downturn if they are to miss out on the Champions League places.

“There is no doubt that the Reds are in the title race although Brendan and Stevie are trying to play it down.”

“Manchester United are up next and if we go there and win – which we are capable of – then the title becomes a massive reality.

“But for the time being all Liverpool can concentrate on is doing the things that have got them into this position.

“We can’t get carried away but it would take a poor effort between now and the end of the season for Liverpool to not secure Champions League football.”