Mourinho slates 'lucky Reds'

Last updated : 13 July 2005 By Adam Bryant

"Whose achievements were more special last season?" said the Chlesea boss. "It depends on how you look at it.

"I like Benitez very much and I congratulate Liverpool for winning the Champions League, but they are very lucky to be in it again.

"The reality is the team that wins the Champions League is not always the best team in Europe, but the team that wins its domestic league is the best in the country."

Mourinho went on to comment on Steven Gerrard's decision to snub a move to Stamford Bridge.

"I was not disappointed that Liverpool turned the bid down because I was not full of faith.

"It was not a situation where I thought it was done, but then the next day it wasn’t. I never thought we were close.

"Steven Gerrard is a Liverpool player so you will have to ask him why he didn’t want to leave.

"I was informed he was thinking of leaving Liverpool, my club asked me if I was interested in him. I said yes but the deal was not done."