We need to show killer instinct, says Mourinho

Chelsea manager laments side’s 1-0 loss to Everton in EPL.

LIVERPOOL: Jose Mourinho has warned his Chelsea stars they must develop a ruthless streak after the Blues fell to their first Premier League defeat since the manager’s return.

Mourinho was left to rue his team’s failure to convert chances at Goodison Park on Saturday as Steven Naismith earned Everton a 1-0 win with a goal on the stroke of half-time.

Chelsea consequently passed up the opportunity to claim top spot as Mourinho discovered there remains work to be done if he is to mark his first year back at Stamford Bridge with another title.

Samuel Eto’o, making his debut following his arrival from Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala, was particularly guilty with a series of misses.

“We didn’t score goals. We had chances and didn’t score,” said Mourinho. “People with experience in football, we all know this happens week after week. If you don’t score, what you create means nothing.

“If they don’t have it [killer instinct] they have to get it. Samuel was a killer all his career. Even so the situations where he was involved in the game makes me happy.”

Sturridge fit and ready to fire, says Rodgers

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has backed in-form striker Daniel Sturridge to add to his rising reputation when his side play Swansea at the Liberty Stadium tonight.

The 24-year-old’s goals have fired Liverpool to three wins from their first three matches and earned him the Player of the Month award for August.

The forward struggled to get in the starting line-up at Manchester City and Chelsea, but his new boss expects him to shine now that he is getting game-time.

“You never know how it is going to go but I felt if you gave him an opportunity...I think he has shown in his career if he is given the opportunity he is a natural goalscorer,” said Rodgers.

“At this stage of his career, aged 24, he has all the things to his game to be a top striker.

“Since coming here he has had the confidence he is going to play and we work on him on a daily basis to make him the best he can be.”

Published in The Express Tribune, September 16^th, 2013.

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