Carlo Ancelotti doesn't believe Liverpool will show any ill-effects of Thursday night's Europa League exit when they face Chelsea on Sunday.
Rafael Benitez's side were forced to play 120 minutes at Anfield, but Diego Forlan's extra-time strike still ensured the Reds would not be heading to the final in Hamburg. Some pundits have expected the side to suffer from fatigue after such effort in Sunday's game, but Ancelotti appears the support of the Kop will ensure that is not the case.
"They could be tired because they played 2 hours last night, but I have never seen Liverpool tired at Anfield," Ancelotti said at his press conference.
Much speculation has also surrounded the potential effort of the Liverpool players, as a victory against Chelsea could inadvertently hand arch-rivals Manchester United an all-important 19th league crown. But, with United also going against Sunderland and their former player Steve Bruce, Ancelotti believes every team will play to win.
"I don't think about this," Ancelotti said.
"I think Sunderland will do the best to beat Manchester United and the same Liverpool will do to beat us because I think every team has respect for the Premier League and every team has to do the best until the end of their matches.
"So I think that we have to pay attention because Liverpool is a strong team, it is very difficult to win at Anfield but we have to try because we need to have three more points after Sunday."
Although acknowledging the difficulty of playing the Reds on their home ground, Ancelotti cut a relaxed figure as he joked about what he might say in his teamtalk ahead of the game.
"The opposite of what I said before Tottenham!" Ancelotti offered, referring to the Blues' last away game where they fell 2-1 to their rivals.
"I'm not worried, we had a good week here at Cobham with no problems, maybe I'll be worried at the end of the season but I hope I'll be happy."
With John Terry back and available for selection, Ancelotti is confident with the options at his disposal. And he also had some kind words for Didier Drogba, after the striker was named among Time magazine's 10 most influential people in the world.
"He's a good player and a good man," Ancelotti said.
"But also he is a very noble person."
Rafael Benitez's side were forced to play 120 minutes at Anfield, but Diego Forlan's extra-time strike still ensured the Reds would not be heading to the final in Hamburg. Some pundits have expected the side to suffer from fatigue after such effort in Sunday's game, but Ancelotti appears the support of the Kop will ensure that is not the case.
"They could be tired because they played 2 hours last night, but I have never seen Liverpool tired at Anfield," Ancelotti said at his press conference.
Much speculation has also surrounded the potential effort of the Liverpool players, as a victory against Chelsea could inadvertently hand arch-rivals Manchester United an all-important 19th league crown. But, with United also going against Sunderland and their former player Steve Bruce, Ancelotti believes every team will play to win.
"I don't think about this," Ancelotti said.
"I think Sunderland will do the best to beat Manchester United and the same Liverpool will do to beat us because I think every team has respect for the Premier League and every team has to do the best until the end of their matches.
"So I think that we have to pay attention because Liverpool is a strong team, it is very difficult to win at Anfield but we have to try because we need to have three more points after Sunday."
Although acknowledging the difficulty of playing the Reds on their home ground, Ancelotti cut a relaxed figure as he joked about what he might say in his teamtalk ahead of the game.
"The opposite of what I said before Tottenham!" Ancelotti offered, referring to the Blues' last away game where they fell 2-1 to their rivals.
"I'm not worried, we had a good week here at Cobham with no problems, maybe I'll be worried at the end of the season but I hope I'll be happy."
With John Terry back and available for selection, Ancelotti is confident with the options at his disposal. And he also had some kind words for Didier Drogba, after the striker was named among Time magazine's 10 most influential people in the world.
"He's a good player and a good man," Ancelotti said.
"But also he is a very noble person."
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