Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho isn’t a happy man as he feels the FA unfairly picked on him and were lenient towards Jurgen Klopp.
During midweek’s 1-1 draw against Chelsea at Anfield, the former Borussia Dortmund head coach yelled in the face of fourth official Neil Swarbrick when Simon Mignolet saved Diego Costa’s low strike from the penalty spot. In the heat of the moment, the German bellowed ‘nobody can beat us’ but got away from punishment. Klopp immediately admitted it was totally his mistake and said sorry to Swarbrick.
Besides accepting his apology, Swarbrick even told: “I like your passion.”
It does make sense why Mourinho is pretty upset about it as in the previous match against Hull City, the former Real Madrid boss burst into anger and was told to calm down or be sent to the stands.
Although Klopp accepts he was pretty fortunate, he committed that such situation could happen again at any stage this campaign.
The 49-year-old was quoted by the Sun as saying:
“To know about it doesn’t change the moment. That is why we accept the fines to say never will we do anything like the last game.
“I can say 100 per cent I won’t do it but it’d be a lie to give a guarantee.”
He added: “I was really lucky in the way the fourth official reacted and I hope he didn’t get in trouble because of how he reacted.
“That was a reaction from a human being and as a result I may not have finished the game on the touchline.”
Being one of the most heralded managers in England’s top flight, Klopp was blamed for setting a poor example.
But he said: “Behind a manager is a human being and we are all weak in parts.
“Sometimes you feel it in a moment and say things like, ‘Nobody can beat us.’
“I never heard a more silly sentence in our situation after three defeats!”
One would never deny that Klopp and Mourinho are known over the hills and ocean for their passionate touchline reactions which infuse additional sensations to football fandom.
Both sides struggled to seize three points in midweek. With the Champions League qualification gathering pace, dropping points this weekend would put their chances dangling on a string. Fifth-placed Manchester City are only behind Liverpool on goal difference and the Red Devils lie further back with four points gap.
After earning a crucial point on Tuesday, Liverpool will look to snatch their first victory of the year at the KCOM Stadium against relegation candidates Hull City. The Reds have been struggling to break down teams in the bottom half of the league that employs deep defensive tactics to successfully frustrate Klopp’ side. The Tigers were swept aside 5-1 at Merseyside the last time both teams met but much has changed for both sides since then.
In fact, Klopp praised Hull’s style of play after they shared the points with United in midweek. Meanwhile, Mourinho’s men square off champions Leicester City away from home. Eyes will also be on the managers in the dugout if they are holding onto their emotions.
