It isn’t often you see Jose Mourinho angry, and I don’t mean the confected hissy fits on the touchline when manager and assistants leap like spawning salmon to rail at refereeing decisions.

But the Blues gaffer was furious with the poor showing at the Bridge last weekend, when Chelsea eked out a 2-1 win against QPR – a game settled on a well-taken Eden Hazard penalty.

Leaving aside this week’s European distraction in Slovenia, Jose is expecting far more from his stars when they bowl up at Anfield this weekend.

Armchair critics slammed Brendan Rodgers for fielding a weakened Liverpool side in the 1-0 defeat by Real Madrid, but the manager is desperate to beat Chelsea after last season’s Blues’ win derailed their title challenge.

Chelsea must raise their game after the performance against the Hoops; a second unconvincing match on the trot following the close shave at Shrewsbury.

Nemanja Matic was uncharacteristically wayward, and the Blues’ possession game suffered as a result.

Only Oscar shone, scoring a gem of a goal, curled with the outside of his boot past Robert Green in the first half.

Was it mere coincidence that the stadium floodlights finally came on seconds earlier, to ironic cheers from fans who were in the dark about Chelsea’s hunger for victory?

Diego Costa put in his usual shift of darting runs, but he looked rusty.

Maybe it was the familiar curse of having just been presented with the player of the month award.

Willian’s mind seemed elsewhere, and Cesc Fabregas – apart from teeing up the Oscar goal – couldn’t get his act together.

Teams do have off days, but this was a collective issue rather than a couple of individuals being behind the pace. The worst performer was Gary Cahill, whose concentration level amounted to a footballing equivalent of ADHD.

Liverpool will raise their game for Chelsea’s lunchtime visit.

Seasonal fireworks are likely.