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According to a BBC presenter, one member of Chelsea's first-team squad would "rather lose than win" for Jose Mourinho, a claim that if true would destroy the insistence from many at Stamford Bridge that the beleaguered manager has his team's full backing.
The suggestion comes in the aftermath of Chelsea's 3-1 loss to Liverpool, the sixth defeat in 11 Premier League games for the reigning champions.
Chelsea publicly backed Mourinho last month whilst various players have said they are behind the manager. However, the insistence of harmony behind the scenes may not be the full story.
Speaking on Sportsweek, BBC Radio 5 Live presenter Garry Richardson said: "Let me tell you what I know on the Chelsea story. My information comes from a Chelsea first team player.
"The information was actually passed to me by a football contact. I was told that Jose Mourinho's relationship with many of his players is at rock bottom.
"I was told they're fed up with the way he's been dealing with some of them. They're fed up with his outbursts."
Chelsea's loss to Liverpool saw another poor performance from Mourinho's side, with last term's player of the season Eden Hazard among those failing to impress. According to Richardson, the Belgian is among those unhappy.
Show all 24 1 /24Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings CHELSEA: Asmir Begovic - 6 out of 10 Made several fine stops to deny Liverpool but couldn’t prevent Coutinho’s superb effort from squeezing past him just before the break. Was let down by his defence for the visitors’ two second-half goals.
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Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings Kurt Zouma - 5 out of 10 Did well to stop the threat of Lallana and Moreno on the left flank in the first half - putting his body on the line to prevent Lucas’ near-post header from going in - but began to be put under more pressure from Coutinho in the second period and began to struggle at right back.
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Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings Cesar Azpilicueta - 7 out of 10 Set up Ramires’ opener with a superb cross that came after he had outrun Milner. Had his work cut out with Clyne regularly pushing forwards but defended well enough.
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Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings Gary Cahill - 5 out of 10 Combined well with Terry to protect Begovic and stop the threat of Firmino in the first half but should have done more to close in on Coutinho and Benteke when they went for goal in the second.
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Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings John Terry - 4 out of 10 The Chelsea captain was back to his best against the Reds with some solid defending in the first half, but then let himself down when he didn’t do enough to stop Coutinho from his getting his shot at goal before allowing Benteke the space and time to fire in Liverpool’s third goal.
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Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings Ramires - 7 out of 10 Headed in Chelsea’s opener to give the home side the lead, but was beaten too easily by Coutinho in the build-up to Liverpool’s equaliser and should have done more to close him down.
Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings John Obi Mikel - 6 out of 10 Helped provide cover for Chelsea’s defence in the first half, but was later brought off after picking up a yellow card.
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Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings Oscar - 5 out of 10 Spent the first half largely on the left flank and while he didn’t get involved in Chelsea’s attacking play as much, he did his job at helping to keep Milner at bay while dealing with Clyne’s runs forwards. But the second half saw him struggle to replicate his first-half showing with Liverpool pressing well.
Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings Willian - 6 out of 10 Was so often the driving force of Chelsea’s attacking play with his pace and tricky runs but had less of an impact in the second period.
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Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings Eden Hazard - 4 out of 10 Played largely down the middle and despite a bright start, saw his impact wane and was eventually brought off in the 58th minute for Kenedy.
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Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings Diego Costa - 5 out of 10 Was controlled by Skrtel and Sakho throughout the game and rarely proved a threat for the home side. He did well to head the ball off the line in second half but disappointed up front for Chelsea.
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Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings From the bench: Kenedy - 5 out of 10 Within seconds of coming on, he threatened to score but hit his shot into the side netting. Didn't do much else of note
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Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings LIVERPOOL: Simon Mignolet - 6 out of 10 May feel he could have done more to keep out Ramires’ opener but dealt with the rest of his tests well.
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Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings Nathaniel Clyne - 7 out of 10 Was one of Liverpool’s best sources of attacking play in the first half down the right flank, and was unlucky not to have been given a first-half penalty when his shot hit Terry’s arm. Defended well at right-back and was one of Liverpool’s best players on the pitch.
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Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings Martin Skrtel - 6 out of 10 llowed Azpilicueta to get his shot in to set up Ramires for the opener but, aside from that mistake, was superb to ensure Costa did not prove a threat for the home side.
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Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings Mamadou Sakho - 7 out of 10 Like Skrtel, the centre-back used his physical presence to shackle Costa throughout the game.
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Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings Alberto Moreno - 7 out of 10 Was outmuscled by Ramires in build-up to opener and will feel he could have done better, but he defended well at left-back while nearly getting a shot at goal in the second half following a fine run forwards.
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Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings Lucas Leiva - 7 out of 10 Received a yellow for a challenge on Mikel, but the Brazilian worked tirelessly in the middle of the park to snuff out attacks and try and create some for the visitors. Saw an effort at goal cleared by Begovic.
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Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings Emre Can - 6 out of 10 Looked frustrated by not being able to control the game in the first half and found himself escaping a yellow although he eventually got one for pulling back Willian. Despite an up-and-down first period marked by some sloppy passing, the midfielder came out from the break in better form and worked hard to keep a lid on the likes of Hazard and Willian.
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Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings James Milner - 6 out of 10 Should have done more to stop Azpilicueta from getting past him and setting up Ramires for the opening goal, but he grew into the game and began giving Chelsea problems with his forays forwards.
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Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings Adam Lallana - 6 out of 10 Tested Begovic with a few shots in the first half with his pace proving crucial in helping the visitors build up attacks from the right flank and also carried out his defensive duties well – making a superb clearance to deny Zouma in the second half.
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Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings Philippe Coutinho - 9 out of 10 Scored both of Liverpool’s goals –the first after weaving his way into space and getting past Ramires to net a brilliant solo effort before then scoring the winner in the 73rd minute. Was Liverpool’s star man.
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Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings Roberto Firmino - 7 out of 10 After a relatively quiet opening period in which he kept dropping deep to try and find the ball, the forward provided the assist for Coutinho’s opener in the dying seconds of the first half. He was brought off for Benteke in the latter stages of the game, but Klopp will see the Brazilian’s showing as positive going forwards.
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Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings From the bench: Christian Benteke - 8 out of 10 Secured the win with his well-taken goal from Ibe’s cross after being brought on as a second-half substitute. Proved the impact change from Klopp.
"I was told that his [Mourinho's] relationship particularly with Eden Hazard was under immense strain.
"Here's a staggering quote. One player said recently, 'I'd rather lose than win for him'. Now that last quote may well have been said in the heat of the moment, but it perhaps gives an insight into the mood of some of the players."
Mourinho has said he expects to remain in charge at Chelsea, despite this latest setback.
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