Chelsea Manager Jose Mourinho Denies Influence on Diego Costa Withdrawal from Spain Squad

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has denied he influenced Diego Costa's omission from the Spain squad for the upcoming international break.

Mourinho has previously criticised the Spanish federation for the mistreatment of Costa, who has been regularly called into his national team's squad despite fears regarding a long-term hamstring injury.

Spain boss Vincente del Bosque claimed the decision to leave out Costa came after discussions with medical Chelsea staff but Mourinho has denied any involvement.

"I am pleased but I did nothing for that to happen," said the Chelsea boss.

"He was protected for the Champions League match but because the result was not good I could not protect him.

"That 15 days is to rest and work properly and is fantastic news for us. I thankful for the decision from the Spanish federation but I want to make it clear I did nothing for that to happen.

"The plan immediately after the match is to have complete rest, no training and no massacre on his muscles.

"After that he will continue specific work. It is very good news for him and for us, and very good news for the national team."

Chelsea, the unbeaten Premier League leaders, travel to Liverpool this weekend in a repeat of the game last season which saw Mourinho's side destroy Liverpool's title hopes with a 2-0 win.

But the Portuguese boss says his side will not be motivated by repeating the result at Anfield to purely bolster his own team's hopes.

"What inspires us is our job," said Mourinho. "Every game you have to win and it doesn't matter.

"The inspiration is do the job the best we can, in the professional way. This is the basics; this is the sense of football."