Chelsea coach Thomas Tuchel believes his team is unlikely to find much support among neutral fans when they face Liverpool in the FA Cup final on Saturday, but said he would not mind his team playing the role of "villain" as long as they eventually carry the championship trophy. .
Tuchel's comments come days after Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola said that "everyone" in England supports Liverpool under the leadership of Jurgen Klopp, in light of the competition between the two teams for the Premier League title.
"(Klopp) is a master of showing that he is the weakest side, he can convince you that he is the weakest side against Villarreal and Benfica, and that his team's draw against them is like a miracle... He does it all the time, it's part of the game where you can win sympathy," Tuchel said.
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Chelsea, third in the league, will play to avenge their defeat in the League Cup final against Liverpool at the beginning of this season, as well as to avoid losing the FA Cup final for the third time in a row.
"There is no reason to be jealous, Klopp is a wonderful man, when he coached Dortmund, the whole country loved Dortmund, now he coaches Liverpool and you have the feeling that the whole country loves Liverpool."
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"There is no problem with being the bad guys (during Saturday's match), we will play this role, we do not want to win the sympathy of the country, but we want to get the cup."
Liverpool - who is 3 points behind the leaders City in the Premier League with two rounds left - seeks to win 4 titles this season, after also reaching the Champions League final.
Tuchel said Chelsea had enough potential to deny Liverpool their first FA Cup title in 16 years.