Manager Jose Mourinho has confirmed that Diego Costa will start for Chelsea against Liverpool on Saturday, despite continued concerns over the striker’s fitness.

Costa, 26, has been left out of Vincent Del Bosque’s Spain squad for next week’s European Qualifiers after reaching an agreement with Chelsea for the player to undergo an extensive period of rest.

Mourinho has insisted he “did nothing” to ensure Costa does not play for Spain, after previously showing annoyance that his player had been unavailable for four games after the last international break.

The Blues boss does believe, however, that a period of rest after tomorrow’s clash at Anfield will be good for all parties concerned, including the Spain national side.

“I’m pleased that he is not playing for Spain but want to make it clear that I did nothing for that to happen,” Mourinho said.

“He was protected on the bench in the Champions League match, but because the result was not good I couldn’t protect him further and had to play him for 45 minutes.

“As a consequence of the work we are doing with him, we think he is ready to start the match tomorrow but obviously not to go to the national team.

“Immediately after the match he will have a period of complete rest. No training, no treatment. Then he can rest and work properly. It’s fantastic news for us, and I give thanks to the Spanish Federation for making the decision.

“It is also very good news for him and very good news for the national team. It’s good for the Spanish Federation to have a good Diego, not a so-so Diego.”

Mourinho also confirmed that Loic Remy is back in contention following a groin injury, before brushing off the idea that Anfield’s atmosphere can have any effect on his team.

He said: “Anfield is an example of a crowd that influences their team in a good way. I like to play there.

“Some people feel the atmosphere in a negative way, affecting the performance, but that’s not my case and I don’t think it affects the performances of my players.”
(Sky Sports)