Jose Mourinho says Chelsea refused to be the 'clowns at the circus' as they denied Liverpool the Premier League title last year

Jose Mourinho says he believes Liverpool were everyone's favourites to win the Premier League last season, until Chelsea's refused to play their part as 'clowns at the circus' and ruined the day.

Brendan Rodgers' side were leading the Premier League ahead of the visit of the Blues, but lost 2-0 after a Steven Gerrard mistake.

And Mourinho, speaking to Gary Neville in the Telegraph, says he told his players that they 'were to be clowns – this is the circus' to fire them up at Anfield. 

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Jose Mourinho celebrates as Chelsea won at Anfield towards the end of last season to shape the title race

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Demba Ba's late goal, after a Steven Gerrard slip, saw Liverpool lose their lead at the top of the table

'I felt during part of last season that the country wanted Liverpool to be champion,' he said. 

'The media, the press: a lot was to put Liverpool there. Nobody was saying they were in a privileged situation because they didn't play Champions League.

'Nobody was speaking about a lot, a lot of decisions that helped them win important and crucial points. And I felt that day was a day that was ready for their celebration. 

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Mourinho holds the ball away from Gerrard during clash and says the game was important to him

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Steven Gerrard's slip was a key turning point in the title race as Ba capitalised on the stroke of half time

The Chelsea manager has hit out at the media for 'wanting' Liverpool to win last year's Premier League