Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has claimed that he is not surprised to see Liverpool contesting the Premier League title under the stewardship of former student Brendan Rodgers.

The duo worked together during Mourinho's first spell at Stamford Bridge, where Rodgers coached the youth team before earning managerial opportunities with Reading and Swansea - the latter of whom he achieved promotion with.

The Northern Irishman is poised to return to West London with the Reds this afternoon, and the former Real Madrid boss says he is unsurprised at how well his former protege has adapted to management.

"He was always a very open guy, open to learn, open to give his opinion, very interested in the game," he told the club's official website.

"We like him very much, me and my staff, we liked him very much since he started working with us.

"He's at one of the top clubs in England, one of the top clubs in the world. His ambitions now are to win titles at a big club."

Liverpool, who sit fourth in the Premier League table, five points adrift of current leaders Manchester City, face the Blues at 4pm today.