Jose Mourinho has indicated that third-choice goalkeeper Hilario could play for the first time in three years in Chelsea's title showdown at Liverpool on Sunday.
Despite his side being only five points behind the table-topping Reds, Mourinho has threatened to name a weakened lineup at Anfield to rest key members of his injury-ravaged squad for the second leg of their Champions League semi-final tie with Atletico Madrid, which is currently goalless.
With number one Petr Cech sidelined for the rest of the season with a dislocated shoulder, Mark Schwarzer will be required to deputise at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday, and so Mourinho has hinted that the Australian could be left out to avoid him joining Cech on the treatment table.
The Portuguese coach has stressed that he would have no qualms with recalling Hilario from the wilderness because the 38-year-old has proven before that he can handle the big occasion, debuting for the Blues in a 1-0 victory over Barcelona in the Champions League group stages in 2006.
"When the goalkeeper comes and these kind of strikers go there to hit the goalkeeper and dive for the penalty, it's even more dangerous," he told reporters. "He's one of our two goalkeepers. We don't have another one. We have only Schwarzer and Hilario.
"Schwarzer knows everything about the goal, about the small box and when you are choosing a second goalkeeper you need to choose somebody that is specially mentally ready to play in any moment.
"I remember when Hilario played against Barcelona in the Champions League. He went into goal and he has to answer. I think it's a good thing to have a second or third goalkeeper with experience; somebody that goes into the game, doesn't matter which game, and feels comfortable."
Hilario has made only 39 Chelsea appearances since signing on a free transfer eight years ago.
Joe Fish
