Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho took a dig at Liverpool after the goalless draw between the two sides at Anfield. What was billed as one of the biggest games filled with attacking talent on both sides, ended in a tight tactical battle with many criticizing United’s manager for the defensive approach he used.
Many were surprised when Ashley Young started the game and credit must be given to Mourinho for stifling Liverpool in the first half. The Reds did perform better in the second half and even had 65% possession but Mourinho believed that his side could have gotten all three points in the game.
Speaking before the Europa League tie against Fenerbahce, the former Chelsea man didn’t hold back.
“We wanted to win and we just got a point, so we were not 100% successful.”
Dave saves
The Reds did have a couple of great chances to break the deadlock. In the second half, Emre Can had a close-range shot saved by David de Gea. The save of the evening came a few minutes later when a vicious Philippe Coutinho effort was clawed away by the Spanish goalkeeper.
The home side were much better in the second half but some great defending ensured the game ended 0-0. Liverpool also started the game with Can and Henderson marshaling the midfield and that was a point that Mourinho did not let go.
“I think you are very unfair with Liverpool, because Liverpool had a fantastic defensive performance,” he added.
“For the first time they played with two defensive midfielders, for the first time they played with Henderson and Can together. For the first time they took a striker off to play another midfield player.
“You are very unfair with them because that 0-0 result was because two teams were really good defensively.”
This was the first league start of the season for the German midfielder. The only reason he got to play in midfield was due to the injuries for Georginio Wijnaldum and Adam Lallana.
Lallana’s introduction changes the Liverpool team
The Englishman, Lallana, did come on in the second half for Daniel Sturridge and showed just why he is so important for the Merseyside club.
Liverpool looked a completely different outfit once the former Southampton man came on but the same cannot be said about Jose Mourinho’s side, even when they brought on Wayne Rooney.
This entire go at Jurgen Klopp is just being done to shift the limelight away from another poor performance from Manchester United in the attacking end of the pitch. Manchester United did start with Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Paul Pogba and the Swede did have a couple of good chances but Paul Pogba was anonymous in the game. Maybe Mourinho should have a look at his own team before ranting on about others.
