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LONDON. -Jose Mourinho has been given the go-ahead by Chelsea’s board to pick a second-string team at  Liverpool on Sunday, after accepting that the club’s title hopes are over.
Mourinho is preparing to carry out his threat to save his remaining fit, first-choice players for the Champions League semi-final second leg at home to Atletico Madrid on Wednesday.

The Chelsea manager believes that their Barclays Premier League title chances are over after the 2-1 home defeat by Sunderland on Saturday left his side five points behind leaders Liverpool.

And Chelsea’s football board, Dave Barnard, Bruce Buck, Ron Gourlay, Marina Granovskaia and Eugene Tenenbaum, all support Mourinho’s decision after meeting on Wednesday to discuss the situation.

Mourinho lost goalkeeper Petr Cech and skipper John Terry to injuries in Tuesday’s first-leg draw at Atletico. It means third-choice keeper Henrique Hilario could start his first Chelsea game in three years to protect 41-year-old keeper Mark Schwarzer.

There may also be chances for youngsters such as Tomas Kalas, Nathan Ake and Under-21 defender Andreas Christensen.

Manchester City, who travel to Crystal Palace on Sunday, are six points behind Liverpool — but  with a game in hand. They will monitor Chelsea’s team selection with interest.

But Mourinho can select any player in their 25-man squad list without fear of sanction; action would likely only be taken if a number of younger players from outside the list are selected.

Mourinho had an extraordinary row over this issue during his time as Real Madrid boss in Spain. In 2010 Mourinho criticised then Sporting Gijon coach Manuel  Preciado for making eight changes ahead of a game at Barcelona.

Mourinho claimed: “You can’t do this in England because you get punished. A team shouldn’t give away a game cheaply.” Sporting lost 1-0 and Preciado, who has since passed away, was furious with Mourinho over the criticism. He said: “If he is saying what he really thinks, he is despicable and a bad professional colleague.”

The Premier League changed their rules over playing weakened sides in 2011 when Blackpool made representation to the other 19 clubs after they were fined for fielding an under-strength team at Aston Villa. Rule L19 remains in the Premier League handbook, saying: “In every league match each participating club shall field a full-strength team.”

But this is open to interpretation because clubs must register a 25-man squad at the start of the  season — and they can now also call on players from the Under-21 development squad. Former  Sheffield United boss Neil Warnock still complains about Rafa Benitez fielding a weakened Liverpool team against Fulham ahead of the 2007 Champions League final with Milan.  – Mailonline.