Jose Mourinho heaped praise on Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp following the Reds’ 4-0 win against Barcelona on Tuesday in the second leg of the Champions League semi-finals.
Klopp guided Liverpool to an historic second leg victory over Barcelona in the Champions League semi-finals, which saw his side overturn a 3-0 defeat in the first leg to reach their second successive Champions League final.
Former Manchester United manager Mourinho was quick to highlight Klopp’s role in helping his side turn the tie around against Barcelona, and reach another European cup final.
“I think this is not about tactics, this is not about philosophy, this is about heart and soul, and a fantastic empathy that he creates with those players,” said Mourinho as shown by beIN SPORTS’ official Twitter account on Tuesday.
“They risked finishing a fantastic season without anything to celebrate, and now they are one step from being European champions, and I think Jurgen deserves, because I think the work they are doing in Liverpool is fantastic and this is about him. This is a reflection of his personality, don’t give up, fighting spirit, every player giving everything.”
“He’s not crying because he is missing a player, he’s not crying because he is playing 50 or 60 matches a season, other coaches in other leagues they are crying that their players play too many matches, when they play 30 or 35 matches, everything I think today is about Jurgen’s mentality.”
"This is about him. This is a reflection of his personality, don't give up, his fighting spirit."
"Everything i think today is about Jurgen's mentality."
Jose Mourinho says Liverpool's incredible comeback tonight was down to their inspirational manager. ?#beINUCL #LIVBAR pic.twitter.com/CzFrG05MjY
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS_EN) May 7, 2019
OPINION
Mourinho is right to praise Klopp for his role in helping Liverpool produce one of the greatest comebacks in Champions League history against Barcelona. Liverpool’s win is even more remarkable considering they were without two of their dynamic front three, with Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah both having to miss the game through injury. Klopp therefore is being given deserved credit for managing to give his players the belief that they could turn around the tie against all the odds, if they showed the right character and fight, which they certainly did. Mourinho is often not someone to dish out praise to rival managers, but the fact that he is highlighting the job Klopp has done shows how important a role the German played in Liverpool’s historic comeback. Klopp will be hoping his players can replicate the same never say die spirit when they face Wolves at the weekend, as they look to overhaul Manchester City on the final day of the Premier League season, before playing in the Champions League final.
