Jamie Redknapp has claimed that he is "bored" of Jose Mourinho after the Chelsea boss hinted that he may be forced to field a weakened side against Liverpool on Sunday.
The Blues manager claimed that his options were so limited ahead of the visit of Atletico Madrid in the Champions League next week, he may have to play "the kids" in his squad.
However, former Reds captain Redknapp has blasted Mourinho's comments, and claimed that the Portuguese is simply "looking at excuses" should his team lose at Anfield.
Speaking to Sky Sports News, he said: "Unfortunately the build-up to this game has been dominated by Jose Mourinho suggesting he may field a 'weaker' side because of Chelsea's Champions League semi-final with Atletico Madrid.
"To be honest, I'm already bored of it. It's typical Mourinho - if he's not moaning about his forwards or blaming referees, he's telling us he's going to play a weaker team. Well, he wouldn't be playing a weaker team if he'd done better in the league, would he?
"If Chelsea were winning the league by three points - and hadn't lost to the likes of Aston Villa, Crystal Palace and bottom-of-the-league Sunderland - he wouldn't be playing a weaker team. That's the simple fact. He knows it looks like their race is run and he's looking at excuses."
Chelsea are currently second in the Premier League.