Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has described Liverpool's Steven Gerrard as a 'dear enemy' ahead of his last appearance at Stamford Bridge. Mourinho, whose team have already sealed the title, believes it is also an occasion to acknowledge Gerrard, who is leaving at the end of the campaign to join LA Galaxy.

When asked about Liverpool forming a guard of honour, Mourinho said: "Liverpool is a giant club and if they want to do that Obviously my players will accept that with the same respect.

"But speaking about Liverpool and them honouring of champions, it is my time to honour a champion, Steve Gerrard and to say that it is because of opponents like him that I am the manager I am.

"I learn with my players and my best opponents. I learn with my player's problems, doubts, qualities and also from my best opponents and the problems they give me.

"The way they make me think and analyse them, study the best way to play against them. Gerrard for sure is one of my favourite enemies, an enemy with all the good feeling I can express with that word.

"In England he is my dear enemy, he made me a better manager. To stop him or try to stop him has been very difficult.

"I lost, won, drew against him, I was happy and sad in games against him. I'm very sad this is last time I play against him.

"I need people like him to make me a better coach. I have to honour him to say I am very sad he's leaving. It was the same when Frank Lampard left - he was a Chelsea legend, but this is different because Steven is on other side.

"I tried to bring him to Chelsea, Inter and Real Madrid and he was always a dear enemy.

"I want to honour him and I hope Stamford Bridge has the same feeling I have. We need people like him as our opponents."

Despite missing out on working with Gerrard as one of his players, Mourinho feels the Liverpool captain made the right decision to stay at Anfield for the whole of his professional career at the highest level.

He added: "It is too late to bring him to Chelsea now. He can't play against Liverpool, it's as simple as that.

"I am very happy that he didn't move because in the end it's an amazing career and an amazing feeling with his people that he refused to play for other big clubs and in other big Leagues. This is a feeling that stays forever and who knows I may play against him as Liverpool manager one day."