Liverpool v Chelsea, Anfield, Saturday, 12.45: Jose Mourinho expects Chelsea to go through the Premiership season without a serious blip.

The Stamford Bridge manager, whose side face Liverpool at Anfield tomorrow afternoon, stressed yesterday that his team are so confident in their ability to win the title that he no longer has to convince them and feels they would respond positively to any defeat.

Mourinho noted Chelsea's reaction to their one league defeat of the season, at Manchester City in October. The team duly won their next eight matches in all competitions.

"At the moment, with their selfconfidence and the way they feel and work and go to every match, I think they don't need me for that belief," he said.

"What happened to us when we lost at Manchester City was a big answer and we are ready for another answer when the bad day arrives. So when we lose a game, don't think we will lose the next game because we won't."

With a five-point lead, Mourinho understandably believes his side will remain top after tomorrow's game at Liverpool and Tuesday's at home to Middlesbrough.

"Before the Christmas period everybody was thinking about Chelsea having a blip and losing points after points and I think it's difficult at the end of this period - after the Middlesbrough game - for Chelsea not to be top of the league. When we go through this difficult period of four matches and still are top of the league, it's fantastic."

Mourinho has let out-of-favour wing back Celestine Babayaro transfer to Newcastle and, with injuries to Ricardo Carvalho and Robert Huth, his options at the back are limited.

Tomorrow, Chelsea will also be without midfielder Alexei Smertin, who has a virus, and long-term midfield casualty Scott Parker, whose broken foot is likely to keep him out until March.

"We are going through a difficult time, but every club lives through this at some time," said Mourinho. "The clubs behind us are under more pressure."

The match, Mourinho said, would pit two world-class midfielders - Chelsea's Frank Lampard and England team-mate Steven Gerrard - against each other.

"I think he (Gerrard) is one of the best, but I don't think he's better than Frank Lampard. Frank is one of mine," Mourinho joked.

Meanwhile, Liverpool winger Harry Kewell will be out of action for a month after receiving an injection in his troublesome groin.

Manager Rafael Benitez has been dealt a blow with the news that Kewell will be sidelined for at least four weeks after his return to form was halted by the injury in the 3-1 win over Newcastle.

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