The ManicaPost
Jose Mourinho defended his tactics after Manchester United stifled Liverpool on a night of huge anti-climax at Anfield. It was only the second goalless draw in 25 years and 60 meetings between the two biggest rivals in English football.
But Mourinho was clearly irked by criticism of his team, accusing Liverpool of being just as defensive.
‘Liverpool are a very good team,’ he said. ‘You like to say the last wonder of the world in attacking football, but they are also a team that plays and thinks defensively.
‘We stopped them from playing but they also did very well from the defensive point of view. They played Emre Can and Jordan Henderson for some reason and did that for 90 minutes. They normally project more players in attack. They were very cautious and kept Can and Henderson in position.
‘Last season United won here and Liverpool had 14 shots on target. How many today? Two. Sixty-five per cent possession and two shots. You have to be critical of Liverpool not of us – it’s their problem not our problem.’
Mourinho bizarrely reappeared at the post-match press conference to point out that United’s own statisticians had worked out that his side had 42 per cent of possession, and not 35 per cent as officially stated.
‘That’s what we planned. We knew they wanted to press forward,’ he added.
‘It was a very difficult game for us and for them – more difficult for them than for us.
‘We started really well and were completely in control. We controlled the emotions of the game. We could influence the crowd. They were waiting for an easy match.’
Asked about the performance of referee Anthony Taylor, having risked an FA charge by discussing the pressure on the Manchester-based official before the game, Mourinho replied: ‘Can I speak about the referee without being punished? OK.
He had a good game and I am happy for him because people with responsibilities put a lot of pressure on him and it was very difficult for him to have a good performance, which he did.’
United goalkeeper David de Gea produced two fantastic saves to deny Can and Phillipe Coutinho in the second half, while Zlatan Ibrahimovic headed United’s best chance wide.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp said he wasn’t surprised by United’s negative tactics, saying: ‘The game from the first second was very hectic, which maybe was what Man United wanted and what we didn’t want. It was to their advantage not ours.’ – Daily Mail.
