Gerrard Is a Dear Enemy - Mourinho

The Chelsea boss has praised the Liverpool captain, claiming that he tried to sign him on three occasions and insisting he has helped to make him a better coach. Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has described Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard as a "dear enemy" as he prepares to face the midfielder for the last time before he departs for LA Galaxy.

The Reds travel to Stamford Bridge on Sunday in what will be their captain's third-last game for his boyhood club.

And Mourinho has admitted that Gerrard is a player he admires and one who he tried to sign on three different occasions.

"I tried to bring him to Chelsea, Inter & Real Madrid, but he remained a dear enemy," he told reporters.

"To stop him, or to try to stop him, is very difficult. I'm very sad it's the last time I will play against him.
"It is because of opponents like him, that I am the manager I am. I learn through my players and through my best opponents and the problems they give me, the way they make me think and analyse them.

"Steven Gerrard is for sure one of my favourite enemies. An enemy with all the good feeling I can express."

Liverpool players will be expected to form a guard of honour before Sunday's game after Chelsea were crowned champions with a 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace last weekend.

And Mourinho insists that the 34-year-old midfielder also deserves recognition.

"It is my time to honour a champion in Steve Gerrard," the Portuguese added.

"I won, lost and drew against him, him as a holding player, a No 8, a No 10, coming from the wing in a three-man defence and I am very sad it is the last time I play against him because I need people like him to make me a better coach.

"Who knows, maybe I play against Steven when he is Liverpool manager one day."