Rodgers: I still respect Jose

Jose(Left) and Brender Rodgers(Right) as they hug each other after a match

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers admits his respect for Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho remains high as he insists he is not driven by a personal desire to beat opposing managers - only to win football matches. 

Rodgers comes up against Jose Mourinho, the man who gave him a youth team job in his first spell at Stamford Bridge, in the Capital One Cup semi-final first leg on Tuesday.The Liverpool boss has come off second best in his last three matches against his old colleague, but Rodgers believes that was only half the story.

He said: "As a manager the big part of it is the players you have, that is the reality. Of course you can make an impact and make them better but if you come into a group of super-experienced players who have won consistently, you are going to have a better chance to win trophies - it's not rocket science."

"I have never really seen it as a direct match-up against the other manager because there are so many things that can dictate that. For me it is just about winning the game, regardless of the manager."

Rodgers admits he does not have as close a relationship with Mourinho as he once did - but insists his respect for the Portuguese is undimmed.

"I have a huge respect for a wonderful man and coach but in time you are so engrossed in your own work you don't communicate as much and ultimately you could be a rival but the respect hasn't dropped." ...SkySports