Mourinho plays down Reds success

Mourinho did not shake hands with Reds boss Benitez after the game

Jose Mourinho insists Liverpool are not closing the gap on Chelsea, despite Saturday's FA Cup semi-final defeat.

The Blues are 15 points ahead of Liverpool in the top flight and Chelsea boss Mourinho said: "In the Premiership they have no chance.

"Over 40 matches, no chance. Maybe they will surprise me and they can do it.

"But in 10 matches against us they have won twice. In the Premiership the distance between the teams is 45 points over two seasons."

Liverpool beat the Blues in the Champions League semi-final last season, while the Stamford Bridge outfit came out on top when the two teams met in the 2005 Carling Cup final.

Did the best team win? I don't think so Jose Mourinho

Mourinho added: "We beat them in a final, they beat us in two semi-finals. A psychological advantage? I don't think so.

"In four matches in the Premiership we beat them four times."

Mourinho was also adamant after the FA Cup semi-final loss at Old Trafford on Saturday that his team did not deserve to lose.

Chelsea's Portuguese manager cited poor finishing from his players and favourable refereeing towards Liverpool as the major factors in his side's 2-1 defeat.

But Mourinho came in for criticism himself for not playing his wingers Arjen Robben, Joe Cole and Damien Duff in the first half.

The trio came on during the second half when Chelsea posed their greatest threat.

But Mourinho insisted: "Did the best team win? I don't think so. In the last 30 minutes we deserved extra time.

"In the first half nobody was better. They had a good start to the second half but then we dominated the game.

"I cannot wish them luck in the final. Middlesbrough or West Ham will be there and I must respect them."

Liverpool are set to finish third in the Premiership as they are unlikely to overhaul Manchester United and that will mean they have to go through the Champions League qualifying stages next season.

Mourinho added somewhat mischievously: "I wish them luck for their qualification match in the Champions League."